Can Linux run Windows EXE files?

Users who have recently switched from Windows to Linux often wonder if they can run Windows applications and programs on the new system. The answer to this affects users' views of Linux in general, as the operating system should be easy to use and at the same time welcome the idea of running different file formats.

A simple answer to this question is yes. You can run EXE files and other Windows programs on Linux. Luckily, it's not too complicated.

Let's take a quick look at executable files, and some different ways to run these programs on Linux.

Executable files in Windows and Linux

Before making EXE files run on Linux, it is important that you know what an executable is. Generally, an executable file is a file that contains instructions for the computer to perform some specific instructions (as written in code).

Unlike other file types (text files or PDFs), executable files are not read by the computer. Instead, the system compiles such files and then follows the corresponding instructions.

Some common executable file formats include:

EXE, BIN and COM on Microsoft Windows
DMG and APP on macOS
OUT and AppImage on Linux

Differences within the operating system (mainly system calls and file permissions) are the reason why an operating system does not support all available executable file formats. But Linux users can easily solve this problem by using software like Wine or VirtualBox.

Ways to Run Windows Programs in Linux

Running a Windows application on Linux is not impossible. Here are different ways to run EXE files on Linux:

Use compatibility layer

Can Linux run Windows EXE files? Picture 1

Windows compatibility layers can help Linux users run EXE files on their systems. Wine, which stands for Wine Is Not an Emulator, is a popular Windows compatibility layer that lives up to its name.

Unlike emulators and virtual machines, Wine does not run programs in a Windows-like environment created on Linux systems. Instead, it simply converts Windows system calls into their POSIX equivalents.

In general, compatibility layers like Wine are responsible for converting system calls, reforming directory structures, and providing operating system-specific system libraries for a program. Installing and using Wine to run Windows programs on Linux is very simple.

Linux users who want to play Windows-only games can opt for PlayOnLinux, a frontend wrapper for Wine. PlayOnLinux also provides a detailed list of Windows applications and games that you can install on your system.

Run Windows inside a virtual machine

Can Linux run Windows EXE files? Picture 2

Another solution is to run Windows EXE files using a virtual machine. A VM hypervisor, like VirtualBox, allows a user to install a secondary operating system that runs within his or her primary operating system.

All you have to do is install VirtualBox or VMWare, create a new virtual machine, and set up Windows on it. Then you just need to start the virtual machine and run Windows inside your Linux-based operating system. This way, you can run EXE files and other programs as you normally would on a Windows computer.

Currently, a large amount of software is available that focuses on a single operating system. Most of the apps you can find are available exclusively for Windows, macOS, Linux, or just Windows and macOS. Rarely do you get a chance to install a piece of software that runs on all mainstream operating systems.

But all this is changing with cross-platform development. Software developers are now building applications that can run on multiple platforms. Spotify, VLC Media Player, Sublime Text, and Visual Studio Code are some examples of cross-platform software available for all major operating systems.

exe exe file

Lesley Montoya

Update 17 March 2022

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