How to install and use Wine 9.0 on a Chromebook

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Installing Wine 9.0 or Newer on Your Chromebook

In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of installing and using Wine 9.0 or newer on your Chromebook. Wine is a compatibility layer that allows you to run Windows applications on Unix-like operating systems, including the Linux environment on your Chromebook. This can greatly expand the functionality of your device, giving you access to a wide range of Windows software.

Before we begin, please note that this tutorial is specifically for Chromebooks with Intel or AMD CPUs that support Linux Apps. Unfortunately, this method won't work on Chromebooks with ARM64 architecture CPUs.

Prerequisites

Ensure that your Chromebook has Linux Apps support enabled. If you haven't done this yet, you can enable it by going to your Chromebook's Settings > Advanced > Developers, and then turning on the Linux development environment.

Installation Process

Follow these steps carefully to install Wine on your Chromebook:

  1. Open the Linux terminal on your Chromebook.
  2. Run the following commands in order:
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
wget -nc https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/winehq.key && sudo apt-key add winehq.key
echo "deb https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/debian/ bookworm main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/wine_chrome_os_made_simple.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install --install-recommends winehq-stable nemo winbind
winecfg
ln -s /home/$USER/.wine/drive_c /home/$USER/wine

These commands will add the necessary architecture, download and add the Wine repository key, add the Wine repository to your sources, update your package lists, install Wine along with some recommended packages, run the initial Wine configuration, and create a symbolic link to your Wine C: drive for easy access.

Understanding the Installation Process

Let's break down what each command does:

  1. The first command adds 32-bit architecture support, which is necessary for many Windows applications.
  2. The second and third commands add the Wine repository to your system, allowing you to install the latest version of Wine.
  3. The fourth command updates your package lists to include the newly added Wine repository.
  4. The fifth command installs Wine, along with Nemo (a file manager) and Winbind (which helps Wine interact with Windows networks).
  5. The sixth command runs the initial Wine configuration.
  6. The last command creates an easy-to-access shortcut to your Wine C: drive in your home folder.

Using Wine

Once Wine is installed, you can use it to run Windows applications. Here's how:

  1. Download a Windows application (.exe file) that you want to run.
  2. Right-click on the .exe file and select "Open with Wine Windows Program Loader".
  3. Follow the installation prompts as you would on a Windows PC.
  4. Once installed, you can run the application from the Linux Apps menu or by clicking on its icon in the file manager.

Remember, not all Windows applications will work perfectly with Wine. Some may have issues or may not run at all. It's always a good idea to check the Wine AppDB to see if your desired application is known to work well with Wine.

Example Application

As an example, we've tested the game "Your Only Move Is HUSTLE" using Wine. You can find and download this game from https://ivysly.itch.io/your-only-move-is-hustle.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter issues while using Wine:

  • Make sure you're using the latest version of Wine.
  • Try running the application in different Windows version modes using winecfg.
  • Check online forums or the Wine AppDB for specific issues with your application.
  • Some applications may require additional Windows libraries, which can often be installed using winetricks.

Video Tutorial

For a visual guide on installing and using Wine 9.0 on your Chromebook, check out our video tutorial:

Conclusion

Installing Wine on your Chromebook opens up a world of possibilities, allowing you to run many Windows applications on your Chrome OS device. While it may not be a perfect solution for every Windows program, it's a powerful tool that can significantly enhance your Chromebook's capabilities.

For more information about Wine and its capabilities, visit the official Wine website at https://www.winehq.org/.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to leave a comment on our YouTube video. We're here to help!

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