Cooperative Linux is described as '(short-named coLinux) is the first working free and open source method for optimally running Linux on Microsoft Windows natively' and is an app. There are more than 10 alternatives to Cooperative Linux for Windows, Linux and Mac. The best Cooperative Linux alternative is Cygwin, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Cooperative Linux are Windows Subsystem for Linux, MSYS2, MinC and Knoppix.
Cygwin is a Unix-like environment and command-line interface for Microsoft Windows. Cygwin provides native integration of Windows-based applications, data, and other system resources with applications, software tools, and data of the Unix-like environment.
The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a new Windows 10 feature that enables you to run native Linux command-line tools directly on Windows.
MSYS2 is an independent rewrite of MSYS, based on modern Cygwin (POSIX compatibility layer) and MinGW-w64 with the aim of better interoperability with native Windows software.
MinC has a tiny kernel emulation (285Kb) which runs on Windows. The rest of the software was taken verbatim from OpenBSD, version 6.1. This means that by installing MinC, you run OpenBSD on your Windows machine at native speed.
Knoppix is an operating system based on Debian designed to be run directly from a CD / DVD (Live CD) or a USB key (Live USB), one of the first of its kind for any operating system. When starting a program, it is loaded from the removable medium and decompressed into a RAM drive.
MobaLiveCD is a freeware that will run your Linux LiveCD on Windows thanks to the excellent emulator called "Qemu".
Qemu Simple Boot lets you to Boot ISO images without having to burn them to disc first , it is is a portable freeware virtualization tool
SpeedLinux is a customized coLinux. coLinux is not a VM but it can be used in the same way. Installation of Speedlinux results in a complete LINUX System with X server running side on side with Windows on a single PC.
A portable image of Ubuntu that could run in Windows as a native win32 application. Adds capabilities to execute Linux applications and integrate with the Windows desktop.
United States
Netherlands
EU
Germany
France
Türkiye
MobaLiveCD uses QEMU, similar to running Linux on a virtual machine. coLinux is a linux kernel as a native Windows APP