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How To Run Windows Applications In Linux / MAC OS X

June 16, 2009 by Gautam

In the previous post, TeamViewer for Linux, I mentioned about WineHQ, a translation layer that allows you to run windows application on Linux. We have no choice but admit that Windows wins hands down, when it comes to the kind of support it has from third party software developers and the number of third party software that is available for Windows OS. This is ‘the’ area where Windows beats its competition – Linux / MAC OS X.

Initially, a lot of applications and games that were built for Windows were not available to play on Linux and MAC OS X, it’s pretty much the same state currently, but with the advancement in technology, things are changing. There are a few ways, in which you can run applications and games that are built for Windows, on Linux / MAC OS X or any other POSIX compatible operating systems.

These solutions can be broadly classified into three categories :

1> Dual-booting: This is a primitive method, nothing really outstanding. You’ll have two separate Operating Systems running on the same machine. You decide which OS you want to use at the time of boot and/or switch as and when necessary. If you’ve used Apple’s Bootcamp, then you know what I’m talking about.

2> Running a virtual machine: Next best solution is to use commercial software like VMware, which emulates and allows you to run Windows OS on a different Operating System. It’s more like, you have a box within a box, and run separate OS’s on both the different boxes.

3> Running Wine or CrossOver: Best of all is running WineHQ which is a freeware. It’s not the rehashed emulation, but Win32 API re implemented. Wine is opensource, but is a bit difficult to implement if you are less than a geek. Those who have problem understanding or implementing Wine, should choose Crossover, which is a commercialized version of Wine.

Filed Under: Freewares, How To's

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Comments

  1. Gautam says

    June 17, 2009 at 8:56 pm

    @Noobus – Guess so… Thanks for correcting me.

  2. Noobus Destructicus says

    June 17, 2009 at 1:15 pm

    It’s just called Wine. The HQ (probably) stands for HeadQuarters.

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