Among those who own a computer for personal use, Ubuntu is gaining increasing popularity. Even today, however, many programs can only be used on Microsoft Windows systems. Fortunately, there is a program called Wine that allows you to run, for free and legally, most of these programs even on Ubuntu systems.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Install Wine
Step 1. Log in to the "Software Center"
This is the application with which packages are managed on Ubuntu. It is the simplest method to install the most stable version of Wine for Ubuntu. To proceed with the installation, you will need to have an active internet connection.
It is also possible to install the most up-to-date version of Wine (which, however, may present stability problems) directly from the program's developer site. However, since it could force them to face serious configuration and operation problems, this is not recommended for all non-expert users
Step 2. Within the Ubuntu Software Center, search for the keyword "wine"
The official Wine app should appear at the top of the results list.
Step 3. To start installing the program, press the "Install" button
This may take several minutes.
Step 4. At the end of the installation process, open a "Terminal" window
Before you can use Wine, you will need to configure it properly, which can be done through the "Terminal" window.
To open a "Terminal" window, access the "Applications" menu, choose the "Accessories" item and finally select the "Terminal" option. Alternatively you can use the hotkey combination Ctrl + Alt + T
Step 5. In the window that appeared, type the following command
winecfg , then press the key Enter.
In this way a new folder will be created on the computer which will emulate the "C:" disk of a classic Windows system, and which will allow you to run its programs.
This folder is called.wine and is located inside your Home directory, but it is not visible
Step 6. Set the configuration options for the Windows emulation environment
After creating the "C:" drive, the configuration window will be displayed which allows you to change the settings of the emulation environment for the selected Windows version. The different tabs in the configuration window allow you to change different settings:
- "Applications": this tab allows you to configure the version of Windows to use for each of the installed applications. The "Default Settings" option is the Windows configuration that will be used to run all applications that do not require the use of a specific version of the Microsoft operating system.
- "Libraries": this tab allows you to set the DLLs to be used to emulate the chosen Windows version. Most users don't need to edit this section. You will have to intervene in this area only if some specific programs have malfunctions.
- "Graphics": this section allows you to change the settings relating to screen size, mouse and resolution. This section is related to the "Applications" tab, so the settings are specific to each application.
- "Drives": this section allows you to create virtual disks through which Wine will be able to access Ubuntu drives and folders. To locate the path of your hard drive, select the corresponding icon on the desktop with the right mouse button. To locate the path of your hard drive, select the corresponding icon on the desktop with the right mouse button. Alternatively, you can press the "Detect Automatically" button to allow Wine to independently detect the disks present in the system.
- "Desktop Integration": This section allows you to choose the theme and appearance of the emulated applications.
- "Audio": from here you can change Wine's audio settings. Most users will not need to change the options in this section, so Wine will use the Linux configuration.
Part 2 of 2: Install and Run Wine Applications
Step 1. Download the Windows application of your interest or insert its installation disc
You can install any application created for Windows environments, just as if you were using a Windows computer. If you are downloading the installation file from the web, save it somewhere on your computer that is easy to access.
Step 2. Open a "Terminal" window and navigate to the folder containing the installation file
If you have the installation disc, go directly to the next step.
Step 3. Start the installation procedure by typing the following command
wine program_name.extension.
For example, if the file you downloaded is called "itunes_installer.exe", you need to enter the following command wine itunes_installer.exe and press the Enter key. This way the program will run as if you were inside a Windows environment.
If you want to install an application using its disk, make sure the Ubuntu CD / DVD drive is mapped within Wine with its drive letter, then type the following command: wine start 'D: / setup.exe'. Change the file name to match the name on the installation disc
Step 4. Follow the instructions that appear to install the program
The installation wizard is identical in all respects to that of real Windows systems. If you are asked where to install the application, choose the path C: / Program Files.
Step 5. You will find the applications installed directly on the desktop or in the "Applications" menu
During installation, many applications for Windows systems automatically create a shortcut on the desktop that allows you to launch them with a simple double click of the mouse.
Step 6. If you can't find the shortcut on your desktop, launch the installed programs via the "Terminal" window
If the installation procedure does not create the shortcut on the desktop, you can use the "Terminal" window to run the program in question.
- Navigate to the folder where the application's executable file resides. For example: /home/user/.wine/drive_c/Programmi/Apple.
- To run the application, type the command {{kbd | wine program_name.extension and press the Enter key. For example wine itunes.exe
Step 7. Create a shortcut of the Wine program
If you don't want to use the "Terminal" window every time to run the applications you are interested in, you can create a shortcut on your desktop.
- Select an empty spot on the desktop with the right mouse button and choose "Create launcher".
- Choose an icon from those in the list or add a new one.
- In the "Command" field, type the following string wine program_path / program_name.extension. The "program_path" variable corresponds to the full path of the folder where the executable file is located. For example: wine /home/user/.wine/drive_c/Programmi/itunes.exe.
- Uncheck the "Run in terminal window" checkbox.
