Virtualize windows lmao

WSL is reasonable bearable, you can install Fedora instead of the default Ubuntu/Debian too. My work PC started out on 10 and is now on 11. I think I changed the terminal program, but the one I use may be the default in Win11. Honestly, I think the only programs I run outside WSL are a browser, DaVinci Resolve and Reaper (replaced Kdenlive and Ardour, both of which I prefer).

I am able to use the same neovim config on both my home (fedora) and work laptops, which is pretty handy.

At the end of the day it is their computer, not yours.

At workplace, use whatever OS and tools allowed by company policy.

At home, use whatever OS and tools you like.

At least that is how I’m managing it.

Get a separate device for work. You shouldn't be working on your personal computer anyway.

Just in the right moment when windows got so reliable and safe /s

Tell them you can’t switch due to some incompatibility and then just don’t do it.

How big is said workplace? Can you respectfully ask for an exemption? Don't say Windows will make you miserable (it makes everyone miserable, apart from a few Microsoft bootlickers), talk about loss of productivity, reduced security and increased risk, and – if you can – challenge the grounds on which the change is being made.

Often, they are incapable of providing proper justification for the change. May not help, but you'll have the minor satisfaction of knowing it is bullshit.

Start doing a job search?

No amount of HRT would make this transition any easier my dude.

Install Powertoys if you can, this at least makes windows usable (funcionality-wise, its still going to be slow as shit)

On my work PC i have windows 11 which is a mess and keeps getting worse. I installed a Debian VM on it to have at least some freedom and pleasant PC experience.

Since my work involves sensors, I set up a continuous testing setup on a raspberry pi and got its IP whitelisted. I ssh into it when something is annoying to do in the Windows laptop.

Depending on your computers specs & if it's allowed or not by your company.. You could always continue to use Fedora & run win-11 inside a VM with pass through enabled....

Quit

Just use the shovel your boss gives you. Back to your own preferences once you clock out.

Thanks for the info guys, good stuff!

Those of you who are telling me to look for a new workplace over an OS change are a bit crazy though lol. It's not quite that bad.

New job time!

Sorry for your loss :( Same thing happened to me about a year ago.

I was the sole IT admin for a small company. Used Debian with KDE on a snappy little Thinkpad. No issues managing all the infra with it, even though most of it was MS trash. I used Reminnia for RDP into the Windows servers, and the Browser for all O365/Entra administration. A Windows 11 VM for the rare times I needed to test Windows-only apps or configs.

Worked like a dream, but then we got bought out by a huge competitor. Their IT team took everything over. I had to decommission my on-prem Linux servers, Ansible automations, Open Project tracking and FOSS ticketing system. Finally, I had to give up my Sweet little Linux Thinkpad and use their standard-issue HP Windows 11 garbage laptop. They were slow, clunky, buggy, and ugly, it was awful.

I quit a few months later after securing the job I have now. It pays about 35% more, has twice as much PTO, and about 50% of my workload is Linux stuff. It's so much better.

My advice, if it's truly non negotiable, install WSL first thing. It's not nearly as good as having actual Linux, because it's running inside of Microslop's horrid OS, but it's better than nothing. Try to be an advocate for FOSS at the company, see if you can convince leadership to let you implement Linux-based solutions wherever they might fit, make yourself the de facto expert on them so you at least get to work on Linux and FOSS infra.

Aside from that, start job hunting. Try to find a job that will let you be more Linuxy.

Do not, under any circumstances, conduct any private business on it. What isn't being logged by Microsoft and shared with your employer, advertisers, various governments will be screenshot'd every n seconds. Additionally, I highly suggest, if you haven't already, to setup a separate VLAN for this device if you ever bring it home and connect it to your home network. Defender absolutely does passive sniffing and active network scanning now. It will also be collecting and logging visible SSIDs as well. Enjoy!

What is the reasoning there?

I think the problem with Linux in the workplace is that it's hard (read harder than Windows and MacOS) to setup to be managed devices. Especially if the company is a Microsoft shop to begin with. The IT security teams just don't know how to enforce the company policies on Linux machines. Enforce password policy, network credentials and managed apps. It easy with Intune for Windows and Mac. Much harder on Linux.

That's the reason I was given by my work place, when I was "forced" to switch from Linux to Windows.

Install Fedora in a VM if you can?

I'm sorry to hear that. Our company recently got acquired, and every 4-6 months the new IT team tries to say, "but do you guys really need Linux? What for?". We answer them, in depth, every time, but then it just comes back up a few months later.

I'm scared one of these days they're just going to force the change on us, all productivity will grind to an absolute halt, deliverables will be missed, and eventually they'll backtrack but only after it's too late to recover the programs that got hosed in the process.