How To Use Wine To Install Windows Programs On Linux

Linux is a bully operating organisation, but its software catalog can exist lacking. If in that location's a Windows game or other app yous just can't do without, y'all tin use Vino to run it right on your Ubuntu desktop.

Wine is a work in progress, so it won't run every application perfectly — in fact, some applications may not run at all — simply it's improving all the fourth dimension. This beginner's guide will get you up and running with Wine.

Wine Awarding Database

The process of finding out whether an application volition work with Wine and tweaking information technology to work can be slow, so the Wine project hosts an application database known as the Wine AppDB. Search the database for an application to see ratings, comments, tips, guides and tweaks left by other users.

Platinum-rated applications run perfectly, with no tweaks required, while garbage-rated applications don't run at all.

For many apps, particularly popular ones, you'll find a full guide to installing your application in Wine, likewise as tweaks to fix whatsoever abrasive issues.

Installing Wine

Y'all'll observe Wine available in the Ubuntu Software Center. Both stable and beta versions are available — hither, version one.two is stable and version one.iii is beta. The stable version is more tested — sometimes, a regression in the beta version can cause an awarding to stop working, simply some applications volition but work with the newer, beta version. An application'south entry in the Wine awarding database sometimes contains data about the necessary version of Vino you'll need.

Running an Application

Once you've got Wine installed, you can download an application'southward EXE or MSI (Microsoft Installer) file and double-click it — just like you would if you were using Windows — to run information technology with Wine.

This isn't always the best fashion to run an application. If you're encountering a problem, yous tin can run the application from the concluding to see detailed mistake messages that tin can help you lot troubleshoot the problem. Only utilise the following command:

vino /path/to/application.exe

If you accept an MSI file instead, use the post-obit command to install it:

vino msiexec /i /path/to/installer.msi

Bear in mind that many of the error messages don't matter. For example, the fixme bulletin here indicates that Wine doesn't contain support for a specific function all the same, but the application runs fine without this function.

If the awarding requires installation, install information technology as if y'all were using Windows.

One time it'due south installed, you'll find its shortcuts in your applications menu, and possibly on your desktop.

Wine's Utilities

The Vino package comes with a few utilities, which you tin can access from the applications carte. But blazon Vino in the application menu to search for them.

Wine'southward configuration dialog contains a diversity of options, some of which you may need to get applications working. You can prepare the Windows version Wine behaves every bit, or set specific Windows versions for each individual applicaiton. Other options include graphics, audio and theming settings.

The Uninstall Vino Software utility lists your installed software and allows you to remove programs.

The bundle likewise includes Winetricks, a helper script that automates some tasks. Winetracks tin can guide you through installing certain popular applications and games — you won't find every supported awarding here, though.

The Registry & File Arrangement

Many applications require registry tweaks to work properly. You'll ofttimes observe data about which registry entries to modify on the application database. Execute the regedit command from a terminal to admission Wine'south registry editor.

Vino uses a virtual Windows file system, which is stored in the hidden .wine folder in your home folder. Use theView -> Show Hidden Files choice in the file manager to reveal information technology. One time yous accept, yous'll notice a folder named drive_c in the .wine binder — this folder contains the contents of Wine'due south C: drive.

Fun, geeky fact: Vino stands for "Wine is not a Windows emulator." It doesn't emulate Windows; it'south an implementation of the Windows API for Linux, Mac Bone X, Solaris and the BSD family of operating systems.