How to play Windows games on Linux without Steam?

play-windows-games-linux

Are you ready to discover how you can use your Windows games and applications on Linux? This operating system is very popular and offers many advantages. However, it can be difficult to access some of the programs and games that are only available on Windows.

Fortunately, there are several ways to fix this problem. We are here to give you alternatives to use those programs and games on your favorite operating system. In this article, we will provide you with a practical step-by-step to do it quickly and easily.

Although both are different operating systems, there are ways to use Windows games and applications on Linux. One of the most popular ways is to use Wine, a tool that mimics the C drive to allow open source system users to run Windows apps.

Furthermore, users of this platform can also install Windows in a virtual machine like VirtualBox. VMware Player or KVM is also often used to have Windows running in a window. This gives users the flexibility to use Windows applications on Linux. Let’s see some of them.

1. Wine

The most common way to support Windows games is to install Wine on your Linux system. When WineHQ released its first stable version, 1.0, it already supported the 200 most popular Windows games. The latest version of Wine also offers a rating system that will help you configure which system supports the game or not.

If you see a Platinum rating, it means that the game has a 99% chance of working. Gold rating means you’ll need to configure them a bit, but they’ll work just fine in the end. They are labeled gold because they have not been integrated with the latest version of Wine. Silver and Bronze tags mean that there may be some issues in the game.

To install Wine instantly, follow these steps:

  1. Open a terminal and type sudo apt-get update.
  2. Type sudo apt-get install wine to install the stable version of Wine.
  3. If you want to install a specific version of Wine, add the Wine repository and then install the desired version.
  4. Once the installation is complete, check the installation by running wine –version.
  5. Download the setup file for the Windows app or game you want to use and open the file with Wine.

2. PlayOnLinux

One of the main advantages of PlayOnLinux is that it is specially designed for your intention, which is to play. Which means it offers optimal performance and a smooth gaming experience.

Another advantage of PlayOnLinux is that it allows you to create multiple virtual environments, allowing you to install and run different versions of Windows and games on your current system. This is especially useful if you need to run games or applications that require a specific version of Windows.

Now, to install PlayOnLinux, follow these steps:

  1. Open a terminal and type sudo apt-get update.
  2. Type sudo apt-get install playonlinux to install PlayOnLinux.
  3. Open PlayOnLinux and select “Install a game or app”.
  4. Follow the instructions to install the Windows game or app you want to use.
  5. Run the game or application by selecting it from the list of installed programs in PlayOnLinux.

3. Crossover

CrossOver is a paid application that allows you to easily install and run Windows games and applications on Linux. You may wonder, what is the difference with other platforms? The answer is simple: here you have a dedicated technical support team that can help you solve problems.

They will also keep an eye on improving the performance of your Windows games and applications. In addition, CrossOver also offers its own library of Windows games, which means Linux users don’t have to search online for game installation codes.

To install CrossOver, you’ll use these steps:

  1. Download the CrossOver setup file.
  2. Open a terminal and navigate to the folder where you saved the file.
  3. Type chmod +x crossover-*.bin and then sudo ./crossover-*.bin to start the installation.
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
  5. Open CrossOver and select “Install a game or app”.
  6. Follow the instructions to install the Windows game or app you want to use.
  7. Run the game or application by selecting it from the list of installed programs in CrossOver.

In short, there are several ways to use Windows games and apps on Linux, beyond Wine, PlayOnLinux, and CrossOver. Each of these tools has its own advantages and disadvantages and may be more suitable for some needs than others. As you can imagine, some Windows games and applications may have problems installing or running applications. However, it is possible to find solutions to these problems and enjoy your favorite games after a couple of hours of dedication. Also, some of them are natively available. Likewise, there are online forums and communities where you can find additional help and advice.