Per run Windows applications on Linux we often turn to virtualization. By installing the Microsoft operating system in a virtual machine, you can start any Windows program. The alternative is to use Winea compatibility software that builds an implementation of the Windows API, allowing programs to run directly on a Linux machine.
Not all programs work correctly on Linux using Wine: the Application Database lists those detected as compatible. Wine stands for Wine Is Not an Emulator precisely because it is not a emulator: does not try to reproduce the characteristics, even hardware, of the Windows system. Instead, Wine provides an implementation of API di Windows on Linux. Coming to ensure anative execution: at least this is the impression one gets. The same approach has been taken to the extreme, for example, in wubuntu, a project that brings Windows 11 to Linux.
Windows programs on Linux, in a bottle
A Wine-based application that offers a modern and flexible approach to running Windows programs on Linux is called Bottles. The name Bottles derives from the fact that thanks to it Linux users can create “bottles” or separate virtual environmentsall based on Wine, for loading and managing Windows applications.
Each bottle contains a separate installation of Wine along with the bookstores and at addictions needed to run a specific application. Thanks to Bottles it is possible isolate Windows applications running on the Linux system and manage them independently.
Simply select the application installation file: Bottles takes care of configure the environment appropriate. Furthermore, Bottles integrates features of automatic update to keep Wine and applications up-to-date with the latest available versions.
Compared to Wine, it must be said, Bottles does not add further advantages in terms of compatibility: it is therefore always advisable to check the compatibility of Windows applications as previously suggested.
Pre-packaged but freely customizable environments
Bottles has the great advantage of introducing a completely new way of managing the loading of Windows applications on Windows. The environments they are a combination of ready-to-use settings, libraries and dependencies that can be freely customized by users.
For example, selecting theapplication environment, Bottles automatically enables DXVK and VKD3D ensuring support for multimedia programs (3D modeling, video editing, drawing,…). DXVK and VKD3D are open source projects that offer support for graphics APIs DirectX on Linux using Vulkan as backend.
DXVKacronym of DirectX to Vulkan, is a compatibility layer that translates DirectX 10, 11 and 12 calls into Vulkan calls. This way you can run DirectX games and applications on Linux while taking advantage of the performance and features of Vulkan. VKD3Dacronym of Vulkan-based Direct3Dis a similar project but focuses specifically on support for API DirectX 12. It was developed to offer an open source alternative to the proprietary library WineD3D for running software that uses DirectX 12 on Linux.
It is up to the user to choose the option if necessary Custom per customize deep the behavior of each “bottle” on Linux, do tests and experiments.
Dependency manager for Windows programs
Windows software may need different addictions i.e. additional packages that are needed for the program to work properly. Bottles comes with a dependency manager powerful and easy to use that automates the addition of the necessary components for loading and using each program.
Just search for the package you need and then request its installation: Bottles takes care of downloading it, configuring it and making it available on your Linux system.
Some examples of dependencies common to many software developed for the Windows platform are vcredist, dotnet, dotnetcore3, msxml, d3dx9, d3compiler e fddshowjust to name a few.
Thanks also to the installers, prepared by the community, Bottles allows you to draw from a rich list of Windows software to install on Linux. each installer is a set of rules that allow Bottles to install the selected program in a bottle, in a completely automated way.
Each installer uses the same dependency manager accessible through the Bottles interface: any dependency that contributes to the functioning of a Windows software is processed individually and automatically, dispensing the user from having to do it with a manual approach.
Everything is fine program Windows is marked with a “score”: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum. It is a schema that is used to express the degree of compatibility with the Linux system in community testing. Obviously, Platinum they are the Windows software that have shown maximum compatibility.
The snapshot mechanism to undo changes
Bottles also offers a snapshot manager which allows users to undo the effects of a change and return the contents of the “bottle” to a previous state. By enabling this tool, Bottles automatically creates a new snapshot, for example, every time you install a new dependency.
In case of problems, it is possible to retrace one’s steps by restoring a previous snapshot: this is done through the section Snapshots of the Bottles interface.
Ultimately, Bottles greatly simplifies the process of configuring and managing Windows applications on Linux. It provides an intuitive user interface and dedicated tools for installing, configuring and managing Windows applications. Activities that thus become within the reach of all users.
