With the official sunset of Windows 10, many users are exploring alternatives, particularly Linux, which has seen a surge in popularity. Notably, Zorin OS experienced its largest download period ever, surpassing 100,000 downloads just two days after the end of support for Windows 10. This shift raises a pertinent question for former Windows users: how can they run their beloved Windows applications on this open-source platform? The answer lies in Wine.
Wine serves as a compatibility layer that enables users to run Windows applications on Linux. Given that many Windows applications do not have native Linux versions, the development of Wine was essential for those transitioning to the open-source operating system. When combined with the extensive list of native applications available on Linux, as well as built-in app stores and universal package managers like Snap and Flatpak, the software options for Linux users become remarkably vast.
However, it is important to note that not every Windows application is compatible with Wine. For those curious about which applications can be run, a searchable database is available, featuring a range of software from games to productivity tools.
The Wine development team remains active, continually enhancing the software with each release. The latest version, Wine 11, introduces several exciting features, including:
- NTSYNC support
- A unified 64-bit binary
- Enhanced Wayland/X11 integration
- Improved graphics via Vulkan/D3D12
- Better gamepad and joystick support
- Smoother performance through WoW64
These advancements, along with improvements from previous releases, significantly boost Wine’s efficiency and effectiveness in running Windows applications and games on Linux.
How to run a Windows app on Linux with Wine
What you’ll need: This guide will demonstrate the process using the latest release of Pop!_OS, though Wine can be installed on most Linux distributions. To get started, ensure you have a running Linux distribution and a user account with sudo privileges.
Begin by logging into your Linux desktop and opening a terminal window. For Fedora users, Winetricks must be installed manually using the following command:
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Winetricks/winetricks/master/src/winetricks && chmod +x winetricks && sudo mv winetricks /usr/local/bin
Next, run the Winetricks app, which will automatically create the necessary directories for you. At this point, you can close the terminal and prepare to install your first Windows application.
Installing a Windows app with Wine
To illustrate the installation process, we will use Notepad++ as an example. First, download the Windows installer for Notepad++ and save it in your Downloads directory. Open your terminal window and navigate to the Downloads directory using the command cd ~/Downloads.
Run the Notepad++ installer with the command wine npp.*.exe. This will launch the Windows installation wizard, guiding you through the setup process. If you encounter an error indicating that 32-bit support is missing, you can resolve this by executing the following command:
sudo dpkg –add-architecture i386 && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install wine32
Once the installation is complete, you will find the Notepad++ launcher in your desktop menu.
Installing a Windows app with Winetricks
Another convenient feature of Wine is the ability to install Windows applications directly through Winetricks. Launch the Winetricks app from your desktop menu and select “Install an application.” You will be presented with a list of applications available for direct installation via the graphical user interface.
This method simplifies the process, as it automatically downloads and runs the necessary installer file, subsequently opening the installation wizard for completion.
Further configuration might be needed
While Notepad++ is relatively straightforward to install using Wine, some applications, particularly games, may require additional configuration. In such cases, re-running the Winetricks app can help adjust the necessary settings. The extent of configuration needed will vary based on the specific application in question.
Despite potential challenges, installing supported Windows applications on Linux with Wine is often more manageable than anticipated. For those whose computers currently run Windows 10 but cannot upgrade to Windows 11, transitioning to one of the many available Linux distributions could provide a sustainable solution for continued use.
