Linux is the popular operating system for its robust speed and open-source compatibility, as it used by millions of users around the world, but it is also true, Windows is a huge ecosystem when we compare it to Linux. Some of Windows software couldn’t run on Linux OS, and we need some bridge to face the challenge. Here Wine is available to fix the issue.
What is Wine?
Wine is an open-source and free software to enable the Linux users enjoys Windows applications without having Windows machine. It changes the Windows API calls into real-time POSIX calls, and uses UNIX operating system for catering multi-user and multi-tasking programs. It was released in 1993, and is updated regularly with addition of lot of innovative features since its release.
Why we need Wine in Ubuntu?
Wine offers service to bridge between different operating systems. It is used for multiple purposes i.e.
- Run Windows applications on Linux
- Lightweight alternative without having full Windows OS
- Test different Windows programs on Linux
- Supports multiple Windows-exclusive games and Steam Play
How to Install Wine on Linux
Here we will discuss two methods of installing Wine on your Linux OS;
- Install Wine from WineHQ Repository
- Install Wine From the Ubuntu Repository
1 Install Wine from WineHQ Repository
To install Wine on Ubuntu, you need to have installed Ubuntu 24.04 with support of 32-bit architecture, and graphic drivers as well;
Step1: Enable 32-bit Architecture
Most of Windows applications require 32-bit operating system, and 64-bit systems can also be supported. You need to Run following command;
Sudo dpkg –add- architecture i386
Step2: Add the WineHQ Repository
Navigate to official Wine source WineHQ and install the latest packages i.e.
sudo mkdir -pm755 /etc/apt/keyrings
sudo wget -O /etc/apt/keyrings/winehq-archive.key https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/winehq.key
Likewise, add the Wine repository for Ubuntu 24.04:
sudo wget -NP /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/ubuntu/dists/noble/winehq-noble.sources
Step3: Update Package Lists
Next, run the following command to update local package database:
sudo apt update
Step4: Install Wine on Ubuntu 24.04
Here, users have the choice of three versions to select as according to your requirements;
- Stable: it is used for general purposes, Run
sudo apt install --install-recommends winehq-stable
- Development: it offers latest feature with minimum testing capabilities- Run
sudo apt install --install-recommends winehq-devel
Staging:allows testing the features before stable release, Run
sudo apt install --install-recommends winehq-staging
Step5: Wine Installation Verification
Run the following command to check the correct installation process;
wine –version
2 Install Wine from the Ubuntu Repository
If you want a more test and optimized Wine version, install it using Ubuntu repository. Here is how it works;
Step1: Verification for Operating System
To run Windows applications on different architecture, Wine makes sure the performance and optimal compatibility while tailoring different configurations for both types of operating systems i.e. 32-bit and 64-bit.
Enter ‘Iscpu’ commend to view the architecture and capabilities of CPU, and you are given details of which architecture you are using;
- CPU op-mode(s): 32-bit. The system has a 32-bit architecture.
- CPU op-mode(s): 64-bit. The system has a 64-bit OS.
- CPU op-mode(s): 32-bit, 64-bit. The system supports both.
Step2: Use Default Repository to Install Wine
Follow the given steps;
- To install the latest stable Wine version update the apt repository package list, Run
Sudo apt update
- enter the following command to install 64-bit Wine
Sudo apt install wine64
- enter following command to install 32-bit
Sudo apt install wine32
Step3: Wine Version Verification
Check the running version to verify the installation process is successful
Wine—version
How to Update Wine
Use the following command to update Wine
Sudo apt upgrade winehq-stable
If you want to update it in developer version, you need to exchange ‘Stable’ with ‘deve 1’.
How to Start using Wine
Run the following command to set up the configuration directory;
Wineboot
This will create the Wine configuration directory that is used for installing and configuring the Windows applications. It is located at ~/.wine.
How to Install a Windows Application using Wine
You can two methods to install a Windows application on Linux;
Install a Windows application from the CLI with Wine
Here we will discuss the installation process of VLC media player. Here is how it works;
Navigate to VLC media Download page to download the Windows .exe installation file.
The file will be saved to Downloads director by default.
Use following syntax to download .exe file;
Wine /path/to/exe/file
The command will be like;
Wine ~/Downloads/vlc-3.0-21-win32.exe
It will launch the VLC installer, and you are prompted to select the language
Follow on-screen instructions to complete installation process
Install a Windows Application with Wine Virtual Desktop
Here, you have to use GUI to install a Windows application. For the purpose download .exe file of VLC media player.
Launch the Wine virtual desktop, and click ‘Start > Run
Type following path in the Run dialogue box;
C:\users\cherry\Downloads\vlc-3.0.21-win32.exe
Click OK button, and launch the installation process
A pop open to prompt you to select language
Follow on screen instructions to complete the installation process
How to Launch Applications
For GUI on Ubuntu, right-click to open the .exe files i.e. OfficeSetup.exe
Select Open with Wine Windows Program Loader, and follow the given steps;
Change the working directory to the OfficeSetup.exe destination i.e. ‘Downloads’ director
Cd~/Downloads
Use Wine to launch the OfficeSetup.exe file
Wine OfficeSetup.Exe
How to Uninstall Wine from Ubuntu
If you aren’t satisfied with Wine, you can uninstall it using the following command
Sudo apt remove wine[version]
Replace Wine[version] to wine64, wine32, wine-stable, or wine-dev, whatever suits your requirement.
To remove entire dependencies, use the following command
Sudo apt autoremove
Conclusion
Wine is an open-source and free utility to allow Linux users run Windows applications on Linux without demanding any extra service i.e. dual-booting, or virtual machine. If you have a Linux operating system, but also want Windows software, Wine will do it. You simply need to install it on your machine, and enjoy the robust performance with Windows applications as a coder, gamer, or random user.
