connecting a Win 11 computer to a Linux computer

[Robert Heller]

At Tue, 19 Aug 2025 09:59:35 -0400 "Ubuntu user technical support,? not for general discussions" <ubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com> wrote:

> 
> HI,
> 
> I have a Windows 11 computer that I use mostly for gaming and 
> occasionally for other Windows apps which do not need an internet 
> connection.  I just do not trust Microsoft so I have disconnected the 
> LAN line to the router and all my internet stuff is through the Linux 
> computer.
> 
> How can I connect the Windows computer to my Linux computer. At the 
> moment, there is an "air gap" to the windows 11 computer. Can I 
> reconfigure my router so that the windows machine can't access the 
> internet but can do 2 way connections only with the Linux computer via 
> the router. By the way, the router is owned by my ISP as part of their 
> services.

It will depend on what sort of firewall the router has and what sort of 
configuration options it provides.  Normally most consumer grade routers are 
not likely to have that fine grain of configuration.  One possiblity is that 
some routers have a configuration intended to protect "children" from full 
Internet access.  Maybe you can tell the router that the MS-Windows machine is 
being operated by an underage child and deny Internet access to that 
machine... 

One other thought:  It is possible to run virtual machines under Linux and run 
those machines on a "private" virtual LAN.  Installing MS-Windows in such a VM 
might be an option, although I don't know how much of a performance hit that 
will entail.  I know that sometimes "gaming" machines are built to have higher 
performance than a "normal" workstation, so maybe going the VM route might not 
not work well...

> 
> Best wishes,
> 
> Bill Stanley
> 
> 
> 

-- 
Robert Heller             -- Cell: 413-658-7953 GV: 978-633-5364
Deepwoods Software        -- Custom Software Services
http://www.deepsoft.com/  -- Linux Administration Services
heller at deepsoft.com       -- Webhosting Services