Keep a Windows dual-boot for last-minute report graphics. But for the real work? Linux all the way. “The best interface is no interface – just physics and speed.” – Anonymous ANSYS Linux user
Spoiler: It’s not officially supported. But that’s where the fun begins. ANSYS, Inc. provides the free Student version (classic interface, not the newer Discovery Live) for Windows and macOS. No .deb , no .rpm . Yet buried inside the Windows .exe is a cross-platform solver core. The real magic? The Linux version of the solver (Mechanical APDL, Fluent) runs natively. The missing piece is the Workbench GUI. ansys student linux
tar -xzvf ANSYS_Student_Linux-x64.tar.gz cd ANSYS_Student_Linux-x64 sudo ./INSTALL -silent -install_dir /opt/ansys Set environment variables (add to .bashrc ): Keep a Windows dual-boot for last-minute report graphics