Running Windows Software under Linux

Basically Windows Software (i.e. .exe files) do NOT work under Linux. But there is a Linux software called Wine that allows you to run SOME .exe files. The important word here is "some".

A rule of thumb is that a small to medium windows software has a better chance to work than monster packages.

Hindrance 1: many system dll files needed

.exe files that require a lot of system dll files will mostly not work with the Wine. Except if you can give the Wine all the needed dll files. If the needed dll files are from M$, you might have a legal problem to get them or to use them.

Hindrance 2: parts of MSIE needed

.exe files that do require parts of MSIE to work (there are many of them), will not work with the Wine. Except if you start with going the seldom and rather (very) complicated way to install MSIE under the Wine. But usually Linux users won't like to hear about MSIE, they have much better browsers.

Best chances for "All in one exe files"

The best chances are with an .exe file that is able to run on its own. One that does need NO system dll files and NO M$ components. Second best chances are with an .exe file that does need only a few very common system dll files and a few common M$ components that have an equivalent within the Wine. Such kind of .exe files run very well with the Wine. I have some that I use often.

Windows programs working with the Wine

Exemples: This is by far not an exhaustive list, just some programs I do regularly use under Linux with the Wine.

S7raw

S7raw, in my mind, is the best raw photo converter for the Fujifilm Camera users (not from Fujifilm). Very user friendly and convenient... and free. Version 0.4.2 build 142 runs perfectly under Linux with the Wine. Considering its exceptional features, it is a very small software, only 950 kB. Just copy the exe file and run it, no install. If some proprietary $$$ software developers (may be you know who is meant ?) should make a similar product, it would be 10 x up to 100 x bigger (10 MB to 100 MB ?), slow as a turtle, unconvenient to use like hell and crashing all the time...

1-4a rename

1-4a rename is a very convenient file renamer batch software, much more convenient than the KFileReplace you get with most Linux distributions. Version 1.56.0 runs perfectly under Linux with the Wine. This software too is small, less than 700 kB. Just copy the exe file and run it, no install.

Photophilia

Photophilia is a photo viewer. Version 1.9 runs well under Linux with the Wine. The photo viewer features are largely configurable to your taste. More than any other photo viewer. The photo editing features especially the image enhancement features are somehow too limited in my mind. So why do I use it ? Because it has a very convenient photo batch processing. You can save as many batch scenarios as you like and retrieve them later. Especially interresting for batch resizing, sharpening, water marking and more.

Xenu

Xenu is a tool that allows you to check dead links and to make a site map if you have a web site. Version 1.2h runs well under Linux with the Wine.

Aedix

Aedix is a text editor for HTML writers. Version 3.0.5 runs well under Linux with the Wine. Normally, under Linux, I write my HTML, php and other code with Bluefish (Gnome) or Quanta (KDE). But sometimes you will need to be able to mark some text (understand select or highlight some text) in another way than usual. When you need to mark some text by columns, Aedix is the only one I know that let you do this easily. It has 3 selection modes: normal, lines and columns.

Babel Map

Babel Map shows a map of fonts with their character code, also unicode fonts. Version 1.10.0 supporting Unicode v.4.0.1 runs well under Linux with the Wine. Remark added later : Gucharmap or the Gnome Character map program makes Babel Map superfluous on a Linux box.

Personal Ancestral File v4.0.1.0

Personal Ancestral File is a genealogy software. The version 4.0.1.0 runs well under Linux with the Wine. Subsequent versions do unfortunately not work under Linux with the Wine. The version 4.0.1.0 is currently not available anymore at the developer's website but eventually you could still have it on an old win box. Keep it!

Important Notice:
The tests above have been made using the Wine Version 0.9.3. If you are using a different version of the Wine, the results may be different for you.

2007.04.xx : The programs above do also work fine using the Wine Version 0.9.33 and SuSE.
2007.11.15 : The programs above do also work fine using the Wine Version 0.9.49 and Ubuntu.