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How to install Wine on Ubuntu 24.04

Juniya
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Running Windows applications on a Linux system like Ubuntu 24.04 is most effectively achieved with what’s commonly referred to as Wine, though it’s not just an emulator but a compatibility layer. Fortunately in 2025, installing Wine has become more straightforward than ever, thanks to well-developed guides and tools.

If you’re seeking to set up Wine on your Ubuntu system, this guide will help you through the process, ensuring you can enjoy your Windows software with ease.

How to Install Wine on Ubuntu 24.04 via Terminal

Step 1: Update Your System

Before installing anything, it’s a good practice to update your system. This ensures you have the latest package information which can prevent conflicts or issues during installation.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Enable 32-bit Architecture

Wine needs support for 32-bit applications since many Windows programs still use this architecture. Enable it with:

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386

Step 3: Add WineHQ Repository

Ubuntu’s default repositories might not have the latest Wine versions. To get the most recent stable version, add the WineHQ repository:

sudo mkdir -p /etc/apt/keyrings
sudo wget -O /etc/apt/keyrings/winehq-archive.key https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/winehq.key
sudo apt-add-repository 'deb [signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/winehq-archive.key] https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/ubuntu/ noble main'

Step 4: Update Again

After adding a new repository, update your package list again:

sudo apt update

Step 5: Install Wine

Now, install the stable version of Wine:

sudo apt install --install-recommends winehq-stable

Step 6: Configure Wine (Optional but Recommended)

After installation, you might want to run the Wine configuration tool to set up any initial settings or check compatibility:

winecfg

This command will open a GUI where you can tweak settings according to your needs.

Step 7: Test Wine

To ensure Wine is installed correctly, try running a simple Windows application. Here’s how you can run Notepad:

wine notepad

If Notepad opens, congratulations, Wine is working on your Ubuntu 24.04.

How to download Wine on Ubuntu 24.04

If you prefer to click and download Wine on your Ubuntu system, follow the steps below:

  1. Choose where you want to download Wine from:
  2. Once downloaded, follow the installation instructions for your chosen format. After installation, launch Wine from your applications menu and start running your Windows applications on Ubuntu.

What Is Wine for Linux?

Wine (originally an acronym for “Wine Is Not an Emulator”) is a compatibility layer that enables you to run Windows applications on several POSIX-compliant operating systems, such as Linux, macOS, and BSD.

Unlike traditional emulators or virtual machines, Wine translates Windows API calls directly into POSIX calls in real-time, providing a smoother and more efficient way to run Windows applications without the overhead associated with virtual machines. This allows seamless integration of Windows applications into your Linux desktop environment.

Key Features of Wine:

Wine Screenshot

Wine video installation instructions

How to uninstall Wine using Terminal

  1. Open your terminal.
  2. Run the following command to uninstall Wine if installed via Flatpak: 
    flatpak uninstall org.winehq.Wine
  3. If you installed Wine via the official PPA or apt, use this command instead: 
    sudo apt remove --purge wine
  4. To remove any leftover configuration files, run: 
    rm -rf ~/.wine

Try other platforms that allow you to run Windows software like Lutris for Ubuntu & CrossOver for Ubuntu

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