Sometimes the switching of operating systems can be challenging, especially when you change the overall architecture of the operating systems. It affects productivity as well as causes many issues regarding operating systems and application programs. Especially when you are a Windows user and switch on a Linux distribution. But now with the development of operating systems, it has made it possible to run cross-platform applications. Wine is one of them. Wine provides the facility to run Windows-based applications on Linux distributions. We can use and install Windows applications on Ubuntu 22 with the help of  Wine.

Quick Answer

To run Windows programs on Ubuntu, install Wine and Winetricks with sudo apt-get install wine winetricks, then run winetricks to browse and install Windows apps through a graphical interface.

How to Run Windows Programs on Ubuntu with Wine?

Wine provides the facility to run and execute Windows applications on Ubuntu 22. In the past, it was not possible to install and use cross-platform applications in different operating systems. It has become possible with the help of Wine, which provides an installation layer for various Windows applications to be installed on Ubuntu 22. If you want to run Windows applications on Ubuntu 22 follow these steps:

Step 1: Install Wine and Winetricks

Execute the given command and install the both packages, Wine and Winetrics:

$ sudo apt-get install wine winetricks -y

The command installs wine and winetricks packages:

Terminal output of sudo apt-get install wine winetricks on Ubuntu

After installation launch the application, by simply typing “winetricks” in the terminal:

$ winetricks

The command configures the package:

Terminal output of winetricks configuration command on Ubuntu

Step 2: Launch the Winetricks

When the Winetrick is installed, it asks for the following options to select. As we are going to install and use a Windows application, select the “Install an application” option from the “What you want to do?” menu:

Winetricks dialog showing Install an application option

Step 3: Choose the Application and Install the Package

As you select the “Install an application” option the winetricks packages window will appear:

Winetricks package selection window showing available Windows apps

Step 4: VLC Installation

Select the package you want to install and click OK. In my case, I want to install a VLC media player:

Winetricks package list with VLC media player selected

After clicking the OK button it will ask for a couple of confirmations, click on “Yes“:

Winetricks confirmation dialog asking to proceed with VLC download

Then click OK:

Winetricks OK confirmation dialog before VLC installation begins

The downloading of installation will be started:

Winetricks downloading VLC installation package progress dialog

When the downloading process completes, the installation process of VLC starts automatically:

VLC Windows installer wizard starting through Winetricks on Ubuntu

The installation wizard of VLC appears, click on “Yes”:

VLC installer showing Yes to proceed with installation dialog

Read the license agreement and click on Next:

VLC license agreement screen in Windows installer via Winetricks

Choose the components you want to install and click Next:

VLC component selection screen in Windows installer via Winetricks

Finally choose the location where you want to install it and click the Install button:

VLC installation location screen in Windows installer via Winetricks

Installing VLC window appears:

VLC installation progress screen showing Installing in Winetricks

Click on the Finish button, when the installation wizard completes the installation:

VLC installation complete Finish button in Windows installer via Wine

As you click on the Finish button VLC media player window will appear:

VLC media player window running on Ubuntu through Wine

Now you can run VLC media player on Ubuntu 22. By following this method you can install any Windows-based application on Ubuntu 22.

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