Are there any Windows-exclusive programs you use?

ShittyBeatlesFCPres@lemmy.world to Linux@lemmy.ml – 77 points –

I had to test/fix something at work and I set up a Windows VM because it was a bug specific to Windows users. Once I was done, I thought, “Maybe I should keep this VM for something.” but I couldn’t think of anything that wasn’t a game (which probably wouldn’t work well in a VM anyway) or some super specific enterprise software I don’t really use.

I also am more familiar with the Apple ecosystem than the Microsoft one so maybe I’m just oblivious to what’s out there. Does anyone out there dual boot or use a VM for a non-game, non-niche industry Windows exclusive program?

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Foobar2000.

By far the best, most customizable local music player app ever. Plus it's open source free.

I loved Foobar2000 back in the day. I’m glad it lives on.

Yep. A couple of years ago they released the 2.0 version, which supports 64-bit architecture and allows for dark mode support as well.

This is the one Windows app I just cannot find a good alternative to. Deadbeef comes the closest, but even it is laggy when searching my library, sometimes crashes when I add too many files, and has a mediocre search function.

Tell me about it.

I also use deadbeef because of the plug-in support, although I haven't experienced much lag myself.

The media library management definitely doesn't come anywhere close to FB2K, though, sadly.

The media library is the ONE reason I haven't switched to Deadbeef. Everything else seems close enough.

Annoyingly, there is apparently an updated Medialib plugin for Deadbeef, but only on the Mac, since the dev is a Mac person.

Oops, I just commented about Foobar2k before seeing this comment.

Just want to mention that it does run on Linux as a Snap (though then you have to have a Snap installed, lol). I'm sure it runs fine with regular Wine too.

I haven't had much luck installing via wine or bottles at all. Hasn't ever worked properly for me. I'm not bothered enough to install the Snap either, lol.

I have a Windows VM that I run it in instead, please deadbeef is good enough for my Linux system.