Running Windows executables

It is possible to a certain extent to run Windows executables on Linux. Here is a list of the possibilities and step-by-step procedures to get them to work.

Using a translation software
You can run executables inside your favorite window manager using a translation layer. Since Linux and Windows is running on the same architecture (provided you are on a x86 or a x86_64 PC), there is no emulation needed to run softwares from one another. On the other hand, libraries used differ greatly so you must translate them using one of the following software :

Wine
Wine is a free compatibility layer of the Windows API using X on Unix (or Linux). You can download and install it by doing:

Once installed, you can run a windows executable:

Note that the path of wine is located in your home directory ( . )

Cedega
Cedega is a commercial compatibility layer from TransGaming that aims to make windows games available on Unix OSes. Since version 5, the cedega entry in portage (available through emerge) is only the GUI. You need the cedega-engine package in order to run the compatibility layer, which is available with a paid subscription on the TransGaming website.

Using a virtual machine
Instead of translating executables to Linux, you can install the OS you want using a virtual machine.

VMWare
Be sure to check the GentooVM website which provides VMWare images for the VMWare player.

Xen
Check out the Official Gentoo Xen Guide.

QEmu
Refer to the QEmu article for informations and procedures.

Bochs
Informations may be found in the Bochs article.

VirtualBox
Virtual box information may be found in the VirtualBox article. An interesting feature of VirtualBox is its' seamless integration mode.

Uruchamianie programów dla Windows