Linux as root partition on Hyper-V: Microsoft submits patches for kernel 5.12 Patches submitted by Microsoft for the next version of the Linux kernel, 5.12, add the ability to boot the OS as the root partition on its Hyper-V hypervisor. The new "hyperv-next" patches follow an RFC last September stating that the company "wants to create a complete virtualization stack with Linux and Microsoft Hypervisor …
Anything is possible as long as you pay Microsoft for a license. At the end of this road you will finally have Linux genuine experience brought to you by Microsoft: no trace of Windows except for the forced login to Microsoft cloud and the monthly subscription attached to that.
I have been running Windows 10 now for a year under VMWare player. I have locked the virtual windows from access to the net but I can load programs and shuffle files back and forth between my Linux Mint through a virtual folder accessible between the two systems. Also, VMWare allows me to connect USB, DVD and other ports to either system with the click of a button. Finally, I can run my windows programs and windows cannot phone home at all. The perfect system for me. The only problem is I can only run my Nvidea graphics card in Linux mint. (It won't share with my virtual windows, but for my needs (Office, Photoshop, and other windows programs this is not a problem. In any case, I was very frustrated with Windows constanly updating, spying and basically using all my resources, so this suits me fine. I decide when it can update, and only once I see what others are saying about that update. :)
Might some future version of Windows run on a Linux root partition?
Nope. That would be insane. (Why would you ship an os with poorer driver support that you don't have full control over a critical compnent of?)
However, in an environment where you control the hardware (ie, Azure) it might make more sense to have linux all the way... erm... up.
Is the 'Windows' root domain a full win server install? That's probably still a bit more heavyweight than a minimal linux distro? I suppose the choice then boils down to 'mess around creating a super lightweight windows vm root that will see little use outside Azure', or just repurpose Linux? Repuprposing linux has benefits that it also plays to an existing skillbase so is just the sensible choice.
I still find this new pragmatic Microsoft bloomin weird though.....
I'm wondering how you actually get Hyper-V alone? I mean, you're potentially running a Linux root, with Linux VMs on it.... but AFAIK Hyper-V is treated as some component of Windows, so how do you even get a hold of it if you have no copies of Windows in play at all? I'm not trying to be a smartass here, I'm genuinely wondering this since I haven't seen anything shipping that would be just Hyper-V.
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