Exploring Linux before 14th Oct 2025

[peterchan75]

Hi everyone,
I am thinking of using Linux once Windows 10 reach end of support.
My current system:
1. Motherboard Asus P8H67-V (bought in Sep 2011)
2. CPU i7-2600
3. RAM 16GB
It does not have TPM 2.0 and no 8th gen cpu so upgrading to Windows 11 is not possible via official route.
All I need are browser, MS Office and an application the only runs on Windows(need Windows Script Host).
So, definitely need WINE and PlayonLinux.
The MS office app should be easy, As for this specific application, I am using Windows Script Host to run some automation script. It's mainly using ActiveXObject when running WSH with .js file. This application has feature to run the jscript from within i.e. C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Wscript.exe.

Any expert can help highlight the potential issues that I may encounter will much appreciated.
Alternatively, just point me to any link that is help in my setup.
Thank you.

 

[peterchan75]

This is an update of my progress. Instead my main PC, I use a spare motherboard (Asus P8B75MLX), i5 4330 and 16GB RAM and 240GB Kingston SSD and install Zorin os 17, WINE, PlayOnLinux. I try installing MS Office 2010 and it crashes half way through. I then install Virtualbox and Windows 10. But the shared folder and drag & drop cannot work. I install Linux Mint 22.1 Cinnamon 64bit. I have no problem installing Ubuntu 24.04 Virtualbox and extension. I can install Windows 10 on Virtualbox. I then configure the shared folder and drag & drop. This is important otherwise there is no way to get any installer to the Windows 10 VM. MS Office 2021 installed without any problem. This is one of ways of using Windows 10 after end of support by encapsulating it in Linux. I have yet to try on the OLE and Windows Script Host.

More update : OLE and Windows Script Host work in Win10 VM as in normal Win10. Excel macro scrapper works too. In order to make the Win10 VM working, click on Device on top left menu and select DVD and install the driver, and select bidirectional file transfer(drag & drop). Before that create the shared folder in Linux and select it in Virtualbox menu. In Win10 VM, this folder can be accessed in Win10 VM desktop Network icon. At the moment I can't access Win10 VM USB but this is not a show stopper. I can drag & drop from USB to shared folder in Linux.

 

[peterchan75]

Installing Windows 10 VM in Linux Mint 22.1 Cinnamon 64bit guide

Install Virtualbox
1. Go to Virtualbox.org and download Linux distro Ubuntu 24.04
2. Start terminal
sudo apt-get update
cd ~/Downloads (go to Downloads folder)
ls (display file names and copy the file name of virtualbox installer)
sudo apt-get install ./virtualbox-7.1_7.1.10-169112~Ubuntu~noble_amd64.deb
3. Go to https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads and download Virtualbox Extension Pack
4. Launch Virtualbox and click on Tools setup and click install to install extension on Downloads folder
5. Cannot enumerate USB error message : Add user to vboxusers - sudo usermod -a -G vboxusers $USER (change $USER to your user name)

Install Windows 10 VM
1. Copy Windows 10 22H2 iso from USB drive to Downloads folder
2. Launch Virtualbox and click on New Machine
3. Name - Windows10
System - base memory 8000MB(16GB total), 4 processors(4core+4HT)
Virtual disk space - 100GB(240GB total)
Shared folders - Create a shared folders in Home folder
Check on Skip unattended window installation
4. Click to green Start button to start Windows10 VM installtion
Go through Windows 10 installation process.
Right click on Windows desktop and select Personalize and click on Theme
Click Desktop Icon Setting - check everything
5. Click Devices at top left corner (if the menu does not appear, press right Ctrl + C)
Select Shared Clipboard and select Bidirectional
Select Drag and Drop, and select Bidirectional

Vertualbox - Setup USB driver
1. Before launching Windows10 VM, need to select USB drive in Vertualbox
2. In the Virtualbox menu, select USB(must plug in USB drive before proceeding to step 3)
3. Click on USB+ icon (2nd icon)
Select from the USB list
4. Select Windows10 and click on Green arrow icon

 

[peterchan75]

Here is another way to install Windows 10 VM on Linux Mint. It's a faster and cleaner approach. This video display in QEMU/KVM is better.