Is there any possible way to continue to use Windows programs in Ubuntu Linux?

Asked by Melinda

Is there any possible way to continue to use Windows programs in Ubuntu Linux? Besides the program
Wine which I've tried and doesn't work. Thank You! Bye!

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Ahmed Toulan (thelinuxer) said :
#1

You can run Windows programs inside Linux but it's a bit tricky. You should search for the application you want to install in
http://appdb.winehq.org/ and see if someone else found a way to make it work.

There is also a project called POL (PlayOnLinux) www.playonlinux.com
This project makes it a little easier to install programs on WINE. It uses scripts that indicates which version of WINE a certain app will work on, which options to use ...etc.

If the application you want to install is not in anyone's list then it might be a challenge to make it work on your own.

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bixejo (bixo-bixejo) said :
#2

I don't know whether it's your case, but note that most Windows programs use the system registry to store setup information when installing. If you use wine to run a program that is stored in your Windows partition, registry information is not available, so that it won't run. The effect is similar to what you would get if you just take the executable file from a Windows system and try to execute it in a different Windows installation. This happens, for example, if you try to run with wine the Microsoft Word executable file.

You may still run applications with wine under Linux, but you should execute the whole installation process with with. In this way, registry information will be available when you try to run it. Try to insert the installation disk and run the INSTALL.EXE (or SETUP.EXE, or whatever other name the installing file has) with wine. That will perform the whole installation in the Linux filesystem and will allow you to execute any application.

Note also that wine may need some tweaks depending on your specific system.

Hope this helps,

--Bixejo

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kralor (mathias-ver-elst) said :
#3

Hi

For playing games I suggest Cedega (http://www.cedega.com/) if you are willing to pay.
You can also try running a virtual machine (http://www.linuxr.com/2007/11/install-windows-xp-via-virtualbox-in.html)

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Tom (tom6) said :
#4

Virtual Machine, install Windows inside a virtual machine inside Ubuntu> Virtual Machines seem to be increasingly popular (and easy). Also if your machine previously had a legitimate version of Windows then you can install that version (Xp, Win98, maybe Vista?) and register over the phone with Microsoft Customer 'Support' because you are just re-registering a reinstall of Windows on the 'same' machine.

Wine does sometimes take a bit of work and each program that does need work needs different tweaks. However, to help with this the Wine Project has set-up a database of which tweaks are needed for which Windows program
http://appdb.winehq.org/

VirtualBox is the standard Ubuntu vmware package and is the vmware of choice for many other linux distros too but there are many others available and also quite a few emulators which i also keep meaning to try out. Just try the search button in Synaptic Package Manager.

Hope this helps!
Good luck and regards from
Tom :)

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Andre Mangan (kyphi) said :
#5

Hello Melinda,

I have only ever found 2 programs (PedX and Mailwasher) that were written to work in Windows that did not have a Linux equivalent and both of these work perfectly via Wine (and/or Crossover).

Since you did not say which programs you want to use, look at the link below to find an equivalent program for Ubuntu:

http://www.linuxrsp.ru/win-lin-soft/table-eng.html

The following links will tell you which programs written for Windows can run in Crossover and Wine:

http://www.codeweavers.com/compatibility/

http://appdb.winehq.org/

Which Windows programs did you want to continue to use?

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Steve Dodier-Lazaro (sidi) said :
#6

I think everything has been said, but i just want to say two words about Virtual Machines.

A virtual machine will not run any modern game decently, because passing the OpenGL calls from the virtual OS to the hardware is still experimental, thus don't even imagine about DirectX.

Also, VirtualBox and VMWare have strictly nothing in common. VMWare is developed by a dedicated company, while VirtualBox belongs to Sun Microsystems.

VMWare is said to have advanced features, but to be harder to run for beginners (and also, not all its versions are free). VirtualBox is just extremely easy to use, but these things are definately not for gaming.

Also, if you're having trouble with a particular app in Wine, feel free to visit us at irc://<email address hidden>

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Tom (tom6) said :
#7

Wine is definitely worth the hassle for the small percentage of Windows apps where it's not immediately easy. Wine is Not an Emulator & tends to be a whole lot faster than an emulator (or virtual machine) could be.

Hoovers & vacuum cleaners? Windows and windows? VMWare and vmware? Cannot or can't? Vmware is in common usage so that people do not always have to write out 'virtual machine, software acting as hardware' everytime they talk about this whole area of knowledge. People shorten things when they use a term a lot, hence the proliferation of 'lol' and smiley's in a context where people cannot hear your tone of voice nor pick-up clues from non-verbal communication. Also there is often a generic name that is also a product name. Confusingly, sometimes a product name replaces a generic name. Sometimes a generic name of one thing is used for something else and then context is important, for example "Open a window" (warm day?). Sometimes a company chooses a generic name as a product name and then demands are made for everyone to stop using it as a generic name! Sometimes it starts the other way around.

In ancient Rome, when slaves were often executed for even minor mistakes. General Pompeii and Cicero were both well known for their rose gardens and each tried to create a more beautiful and orderly garden. One morning Pompeii's head gardener was horrified to find a whole row of yellow roses and cried "Our roses are rose. Is a row Cicero's?"

lol, good luck and regards from
Tom :)

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Melinda (melired15-deactivatedaccount) said :
#8

Hi! I just wanted to say Thank You to all who answered to my question. Your answers were all very helpful, and I will take them into consideration. Bye!

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Tom (tom6) said :
#9

Lol, good luck, thanks and regards from
Tom :)

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Tom (tom6) said :
#10

Kralor had some good plans there, Cedega (http://www.cedega.com/) can be helpful

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Melinda (melired15-deactivatedaccount) said :
#11

Yes, it can be helpful. I was just so used to using Windows but now enjoy using Ubuntu.