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Running Windows desktop tests from Linux with disposable VMs
TL;DR
Testing Windows desktop applications from Linux has been challenging due to the need for full virtual machines (VMs) and slow boot times. A new approach aims to streamline this process, making it easier to run extensive tests.
✦ Why It Matters
Consider implementing disposable VMs for your Windows desktop app testing to improve efficiency.
Key Takeaways
- Explore using disposable VMs for testing Windows applications.
- Reduce testing time by minimizing VM boot delays.
- Ensure active user sessions for effective UI Automation.
- Consider integrating this approach into your CI/CD pipeline.
Full Summary
Testing Windows desktop applications has been a significant challenge for developers, primarily because existing infrastructure is not designed for high-volume testing. Unlike web applications, which can be tested quickly using headless browsers in lightweight Linux containers, Windows desktop apps require full VMs that take 2 to 3 minutes to boot.
Additionally, these VMs must have an active user session for Windows UI Automation (UIA) to function, complicating the testing process further. The proposed solution focuses on creating disposable VMs that can be quickly spun up and torn down, allowing for more efficient testing.
This approach could potentially enable developers to run thousands of tests per month, addressing a critical need in the software development lifecycle. By improving the testing infrastructure for Windows applications, teams can enhance their development speed and reliability.