Many want to use Windows apps even if they’re using non-Windows-based computers. Fortunately, some apps can help users install and use apps and programs specially designed to run on Windows, like Wine. But… can Wine be used on your Chromebook?
In this post, we will discuss whether you can use Wine App for Chromebook and how users can download Wine for Chromebook.
What is Wine App?
Wine App is an open-sourced compatibility layer designed to run Windows apps on some POSIX-compliant operating systems like BSD, macOS, and Linux. Rather than simulate internal Windows logic, the Wine app translates API calls into POSIX calls quickly.
Wine is short for “Wine Is Not an Emulator”.
It was developed in 1993 for the earlier versions of Windows as developers back then wanted to accommodate Windows-based programs on Linux devices.
Does Wine Work on Chromebook?
Yes, because the Chromebook is a POSIX-compliant system like BSD, macOS, and Linux, and Wine is specially designed for that operating system. Many prefer to have Wine for their Chromebook because the laptop does not come with the relevant drivers needed to open Windows applications on the fly.
With a Wine App for Chromebook, users can avoid resorting to complex hacks to get Windows-based programs to run on their devices.
Wine is free, making it more accessible to Chromebook users who will be able to enjoy it at no cost.
How To Install Wine On Chromebook?
Here’s how to install Wine software for Chromebook.
Note that you do not download the Wine app for Chromebook like you would do with other Chromebook apps. You have to download it through the Linux development environment.
Step 1. Select Settings>Advanced>Developers
To find the Settings, click on the time at the bottom-right corner and look for the “gear” icon.
Step 2. Turn On “Linux Development Environment”
Follow the instructions. When you finish, a Linux terminal window will open.
Did you know that by installing Linux you can also use OBS on Chromebook?
Step 3. Open A Linux Terminal
If you already had Linux Development activated, you will now need to open a Linux Terminal. Click on the “Terminal” app within the “Linux apps” folder in your Chromebook’s launcher section.
Step 4: Enable 32-bit Architecture For Wine
Write the following command in the terminal and press “enter”. You can copy it and then paste it on the command line by double-clicking with your mouse directly on the terminal.
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
Related article: How to Play 32-Bit Games on Mac
Step 5: Download & Add Wine Security Key
Copy and paste the following commands into the terminal. Press “enter” after writing each one. If you see a warning after executing the second command, just ignore it.
wget -nc https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/winehq.key
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)sudo apt-key add winehq.key
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)
Step 6. Add The Wine Repository To Your System
Enter the following command into the Linux terminal:
echo "deb https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/debian/ bullseye main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/wine_chrome_os_made_simple.list
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)
Step 7: Update The System Repository of Linux Apps
This will avoid possible problems during Wine installation. Type in the following command and press the “Enter” button.
sudo apt update -y
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)
Step 8: Install Wine For Chromebook
Enter the following command and press “Enter”:
sudo apt install --install-recommends winehq-stable winbind
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)You will be prompted to confirm the installation of Wine for Chromebook. Press “Enter” again.
Step 9: Install Additional Packages For Wine
Enter the following command and press “Enter”
winecfg
A Wine app pop-up window will appear. Click the “Install” button several times
Step 10: Add a File Manager System
Wine Is already installed, but we will add a dedicated file manager system. Enter the following command and press “Enter”:
sudo apt install nemo
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)
That’s it! This is how you can use Wine for Chromebook.
How To Change Windows Resolution In Wine on Chromebook 2022?
You can change the resolution of Wine on Chromebook. Here’s how:
Step 1. Open A Linux Terminal
Step 2. Enter The Command “winecfg”
Wine properties window will pop-up
winecfg
Step 3. Select The “Graphics” Tab
https://youtu.be/l3Pc5b1PGTI?t=29
Step 4. Set The Resolution & Click “Ok”
How To Create A Shortcut For The Installed Windows App On Chromebook?
You can create a shortcut for the Wine on your Chromebook by following these steps:
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Step 1: Open “Local File Manager”
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Step 2: Go to the “Linux Files” option
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Step 3: Click on the three-dot menu
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Step 4: Enable the “Show Hidden Files” option
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Step 5: Enter into the “.wine” folder and go to the “drive_c” folder.
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Step 6: Check where the program is installed (probably “Program Files” folder)
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Step 7: Find your App Folder and look for the “.exe file”
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Step 8: Make a note with the .exe file location. Something like this:
/home/yourusername/.wine/drive_c/Program Files/AppFolder/App.exeCode language: JavaScript (javascript) -
Step 9: Change “yourusername” to your real username.
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Step 10: Change the file path /AppFolder/App.exe” for the location of your program.
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Step 11: Add the wine keyboard, give a space, and then quote the full address in double inverted commas.
wine "/home/yourusername/.wine/drive_c/Program Files/AppFolder/App.exe"Code language: JavaScript (javascript) -
Step 12: Open “File Manager” > Linux files section
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Step 13: Go to “.local folder”>”Share”> “Applications”> “Wine”> “Programs“.
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Step 14: Find the folder where the Wine app is installed, and open it
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Step 15: Right-click the “extension desktop file” and open it with a text editor. You will see something like this:
Name=<the app name> Exec= <the app's location> Type= Application StartupNotify= true Icon= <app's icon name> StartupWMCLass= <app's name exe file>Code language: JavaScript (javascript) -
Step 16: Change the exec file path to the one you used in step 11.
Name=<the app name> Exec= wine "/home/yourusername/.wine/drive_c/Program Files/AppFolder/App.exe" Type= Application StartupNotify= true Icon= <app's icon name> StartupWMCLass= <app's name exe file>Code language: JavaScript (javascript) -
Step 17: Save and close the file.
You can now launch your preferred app from the App Library section.
Is it Secure to Run Windows Apps on Chromebook?
Yes, it is safe and secure to run Windows Apps on your Chromebook. Fortunately, Chromebooks have evolved over the last few years and are no longer as simplistic as they were. These days, accessing Windows Apps on your Chromebook may be a bit challenging but it is possible.
There are several ways of running Windows Apps on a Chromebook such as connecting to a PC running on Windows or installing programs such as Wine for Chromebook.
Alternatively, Chromebook users can also find web apps or Android apps similar to the Windows-based program they want to use on their Chromebook.
What are Some of The Wine Alternatives for Chromebook?
There are alternatives to Wine on Chromebook. These are also mostly compatibility layer tools or Android Emulators. Here are some of them.
- CrossOver. A supported and commercialized version of Wine for both Mac OS X and Linux. It offers out-of-the-box support for many commercial Windows-based apps like MS.NET, MS Outlook, Adobe, and Framework, to name a few.
- PlayOnLinux. This is a graphical front-end for the Wine compatibility layer, which simplifies the installation of Windows apps on Linux/GNU. It also leverages an online database of scripts to be applied to various programs.
- PlayONMac. Similar to PlayOnLinux, it is designed to let users install Windows-based programs on Mac OS. It eliminates the need for users to manually configure settings.
- ExaGear. This is a Windows emulator designed and optimized for ARM Chromebooks. It lets users use Windows PC applications on ARM-based Android devices and Chromebooks using a connected mouse and keyboard.
You can Use Windows-Based Apps with Wine on Chromebook
It may not be easy to run Windows-based apps with a computer running on a different operating system.
But thankfully there are a few apps available that you can use to operate apps for Windows.
Wine for Chromebook is one of them and it can also be used for other POSIX-compliant systems.
