Virtualization at it’s best -- Windows 11 on Ubuntu Desktop using KVM
Daniel Nashed – 22 January 2026 01:45:09
KVM is part of Linux and well integrated. Now that I have Ubuntu running end to end (on a USB stick) I am adding KVM to give Windows 11 a try.
It is using ZFS for storing the virtual Windows disk. The installation was super easy and the performance is great.
I am still using a remote desktop connection to install it, but the notebook is next to me and runs everything native.
To stay on my primary machine with my main keyboard and to take screen prints I am using the RDP connection.
The KVM integration allows to run full screen. You even forget for a moment you are running on an Ubuntu desktop.
Yes this isn't what we want. We want to only run Windows applications if really needed.
The KVM integration is great. Beside the GUI there are simple commands to query settings, mount disks etc.
I also installed Nomad web running against a Domino server on the Linux host on Docker.
You can mix and match any combination. It just works and the performance is great.
I am not sure where I end up. I need a Notes client with a designer and I need a Windows C/C++ compiler.
My notebook will probably stay on Windows using WSL with Ubuntu.
But this is a great environment to have a transportable Linux including a Windows VM if needed.
Everything is on a stick. In My case a fast Samsung 256GB stick. It would be even more performing with a SSD.
But running on a USB stick is nothing I noticed any second during all my testing.
Now that I got it working forward, backward, mixed up on multiple layers I am prepared for any type of setup.
If you try this out on your own, ChatGPT is your best buddy when you are stuck!
This environment is now waiting for Notes/Domino 14.5.1 EA1 ...
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