I have a lot of paid software that is specific to Windows. That is not a problem. What is a problem is that some of these are so specialized that I cannot find a viable replacement. A few are connected with paid content or a supplemental hardware product (example: X Keys). I thought I would find more open source replacements than I have.

I need help navigating this mess. I am disgusted with Microsoft, but I am too poor to buy a Mac, which is the only other alternative for most of these programs. Is someone willing to help me get started with this? I know that WINE exists, but it is not universal. Can I run Windows 7 (valid license) in a virtual machine with full functionality and keep it off the internet? If so, can I get a recommendation about where to start looking for one?

Yes, some folks have to use Windows or Apple products. Just no way around that.

If one has a Microsoft OS and it is one that can be installed on a new computer then you should be able to use it in a VM. If you have hardware keys that install to ports then you may have to attach the ports on VM power on. It is quite common to run windows or other OS's in a VM.

At one time it was considered totally secure to run a client OS in a VM. There have only been one or two holes that I have ever heard of. You will have to activate the Windows 7 so you will have to attach it via NAT or Bridged to host for a short bit and ought to update it while you are there maybe.

If you just want to test this then you can get a pre-built VM from Microsoft for maybe 30 days or so.

If you have a valid disc then test it on a VM.

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First, yes...you can run Windows 7 (or 8, or 10), in VirtualBox with no problems at all.

But a better answer might be to tell us what programs you're dealing with, and we may be able to tell you viable replacements/options.

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I may get more specific later, but I have already checked these programs. There are no alternatives available that do the same thing. To use the example I already gave, X Keys (a supplemental keyboard bar) requires a proprietary program to work. Obviously, any alternates are not going to make that hardware work. Another example is Comparator Fast. I really tried to find something that can do exactly what it does, and I could not find anything even close. There are things that are similar, but they still are not the same and do not do the same things. I did manage to find a Linux version of Scrivener (thank God!), but it is an older version. I will need to see if it is acceptable. As for e-Sword, you might find other programs that are similar, but I can guarantee they are not comparable. I have paid content for that program. I also have paid content for Vitalsource Bookshelf and Kindle. I can remove the DRM for the Kindle content, but not for the Vitalsource books. I have explored the alternatives.

However, I do not want to know if I can run Windows in a virtual machine. I already know I can do that. I want to know if I can run it in a virtual machine and allow absolutely no internet access for it. More specifically, I want to keep any updates from coming near it. I have Windows 10 on this machine now. Microsoft stores the hardware signatures in their own servers and, therefore, the licenses. If they detect that I have any version of Windows installed, it will automatically be "upgraded" to Windows 10. I cannot allow this. Windows 10 has become increasingly unstable and has been consistently breaking my software.

I have run Windows 7 within Windows 10 in a virtual machine before, but only for a short time. I am unfamiliar with the techniques you mention. When I am ready to do this, I will need instructions.

i wonder how much "a lot" and "some" is.
and what sort of software you are talking about.
often the solution isn't a 1:1 replacement but a shift in usage habits, or a script wrapped around another application etc.

also, you should try https://alternativeto.net/

I found the "alternative to" website already. As for changes in habits, that will only take me so far. I am happy to have found a Linux version of my most important software, but I am not going to give up my paid content that is connected to some of my programs. At least one program will be extremely painful to lose because it will mean that I will spend weeks or months doing things that I could do in days with that program. I am still researching.

My primary concern is the ability to keep Windows off the internet. If I can run Windows 7 in a virtual machine and keep it completely off the internet, then my problem is pretty much solved. I will have to put up with the stupid habit of keeping email all together in one file (honestly-- what idiot thought that up?). I will not like having to do that, but I can do it. I will just have to spend a lot of time and effort on backups. This is not as easy as some fans like to make it. Migrating is a serious matter for those of us who are not casual users and who rely on our computers for more than surfing the internet and stealing music.

Again, as you were asked before: WHICH program(s) are you talking about?? Because as you were told, we may be able to give you alternatives/work-arounds to get you going, but unless you provide details, there's nothing we can tell you.
You now mention email in one file and Windows...so, Outlook then? There are several programs that do what Outlook does, without needing an Exchange server. Further, you can migrate your .PST file to IMAP, including folders/sub-folders, and use any mail client going forward.

Again: if you can actually provide program names and give us your goals, aside from "run Windows in a VM", we can try to help.

Please read it. I am not asking for alternatives. No, I am not using Outlook. I am using EverDesk. I want my emails stored as individual files because any other method is idiotic. I am asking for instructions and suggestions for running Windows 7 in a virtual machine without allowing it to access the internet.

As I said, there are programs for which there are no alternatives. It does no good to list them. The alternatives do not exist. I need to run a few programs that cannot be run under Linux and may not work with WINE (especially since they are generally not well known). I am dumping Windows 10 forever. I need help with methods for running Windows 7 under a virtual machine without allowing it to access the internet and update. The programs are the reason I need to do this, not the problem I am asking for help with. I certainly do not expect the people in this forum to magically write programs that meet my specific needs.

Sorry, but I *DID* read it...have you been reading the replies??? You have been specifically told (several times), that yes, you can easily run Windows (7/8/10) in a virtual machine under Linux. And since you think that storing emails is 'idiotic', you must not know that you can just tell pretty much ANY client (like Evolution, which does EVERYTHING that EverDesk does), to download the emails/attachments for reading. Which does EXACTLY what you're after. And EverDesk is the first actual detail you've provided thus far.
You were simply asked to list programs that you're having trouble replacing, so that we may be able to HELP YOU MIGRATE totally off Windows. You appear to be new to Linux, and we are asking to try to help you, but you won't even list them, and seem to get offended/rude by the question, for some reason. There are probably many existing programs that do everything you want, but since you don't want to even try to participate in a conversation about how to do this, there's nothing else we can say.

Load VirtualBox, load Windows 7, and have a good time.

I am tired of explaining this to you. You cannot replace some software. That is an inescapable reality. No alternate program will run my X-keys (previously mentioned). No alternate program will allow me to view my textbooks, which are tied to a specific piece of software (previously mentioned). I have named numerous programs. You are ignoring it. I know I can run Windows in a virtual machine. I need to know how to run it without allowing it to access the internet. It is you who are being rude.

Here is a link to how to enable and disable networking in VirtualBox: https://www.pcmobitech.com/enable-di...et-virtualbox/

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Thank you so much! This is exactly what I need.

i wonder why you asked in the first place then. rhetorical question, please don't answer.
anyhow, im outta here (and have earmarked Denise51781 for future reference).

1 members found this post helpful.

You're right, I did miss the list you posted. So to go down the list:

• X-keys - **SUPPORTS LINUX** from their own webpage: http://xkeys.com/OSsupport.php?tpm=1_3 While that may be an SDK, ALL of their devices emulate USB keyboards/mice. Use any GUI (like KDE, Gnome, etc.), to map the keys, without need for their software.
• Comparator Fast - Ancient, and not needed; Linux has rsync, which does the EXACT same thing, as well as many other sync tools that provide identical functionality
• Scrivener - Present, but old. Manuskript is current, and probably closest.
• e-Sword - First hit in Google for "e-sword linux" is a step-by-step guide for getting it working in wine
• Kindle - Since you can use Kindle Cloud in your web browser, app not needed
• Vitalsource Bookshelf - Did you read their website?? They specifically say that, even *IF* you run this in a virtual machine, it's not supported, since it REQUIRES DirectX10. No text.

So since you want your textbook app to run, you're stuck, period. Everything else is either supported, or has a good amount of alternatives.
Simple; don't configure the network interface in VirtualBox. No interface=no networking...seems obvious.
Wondered as well, with the subject of "Software Migration", when the question of "Can I load Windows in a VM on Linux" was answered early on. Disabling a network interface is trivial, and even *IF* (somehow) VirtualBox forced you to turn on a network interface (which you have to set up manually), you can also go into Windows and just disable it...doing the same thing.

And the textbook software says on their forums that it won't work on a virtual machine, period. So the entire plan fails before it begins. But that is the ONLY piece of software that actually won't work on Linux or doesn't have an easy alternative, despite what the OP says. I'm with you, ondoho.