{
  "id": 15921505,
  "title": "Steam is a better way to run Windows apps on Linux than Wine, and it's not just for games",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/steam-is-a-better-way-to-run-windows-apps-on-linux-than-wine-and-its",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-21T17:30:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "XDA Developers",
    "slug": "xda-developers",
    "url": "https://www.xda-developers.com/steam-better-way-run-windows-apps-linux-than-wine-not-just-games/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The popularity of Linux has surged in recent years, yet one persistent challenge remains: many popular Windows programs lack Linux counterparts. Tools like Wine have been employed to bridge this gap, but they don't fully resolve the issue. Steam's Proton compatibility layer has largely addressed this problem for gaming, but its potential extends far beyond the gaming realm.\n\nProton, a modified version of Wine, is built upon the latter and has contributed several enhancements back to Wine itself. However, not all of Proton's features are carried over to the core Wine project, and even when they are, the process can be slow. As a result, utilizing Proton can still offer advantages over relying solely on a standard Wine setup. While some regressions may occur, they are often mitigated by Valve's financial interest in ensuring a high-quality experience.\n\nInstalling Wine on Linux creates a Windows filesystem, enabling the replication of original program functionality. Each subsequent Windows app installation utilizes this shared filesystem, ensuring compatibility. Bottles, a supplementary tool, allows for isolated environments for individual apps, providing finer-grained control over settings. However, Steam offers a similar functionality, albeit on a more limited scale. When a Windows app is installed via Steam, it generates a dedicated Windows filesystem for that specific application, allowing for independent operation and the ability to run with tailored configurations.\n\nThe process of using Steam for running Windows apps on Linux is straightforward. First, Steam must be installed on your Linux PC. From the Steam menu, navigate to Games and select Add non-Steam game to my library. Download the Windows installer for the desired program and select it from the window that appears. The Compatibility tab enables the selection of a compatibility layer, with Proton Experimental being the default option, providing the latest fixes and enhancements. You can switch to stable releases or earlier versions, as well as other Proton forks tailored to specific improvements.\n\nOnce the program is added to your Steam library, launching it through Steam and initiating the installation process becomes necessary. The challenging part involves locating the actual app files, as Steam references the installer rather than the executable itself. Windows apps installed via Steam reside in the following directory: By opening the most recent folder and navigating to pfx/drive_c, you can find the executable within Program Files or Program Files (x86). Paste the full path to the executable in Steam's Properties window, and specify the start location to complete the setup.\n\nOne significant advantage of this approach is that each Windows app installed through Steam maintains its own Windows filesystem, preventing potential conflicts or interference between applications. To remove a specific app, uninstall it from Steam and delete its corresponding folder, cleanly eliminating all associated Windows data without impacting other installed applications. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that while Steam can resolve many compatibility issues, it may not be a panacea. Proton might not successfully run every single Windows program that encounters difficulties with Wine. Some apps have shown limitations, such as Clip Studio Paint crashing upon launch, Obsbot Center malfunctioning with a webcam, and Microsoft 365 failing to install. Despite these challenges, simpler applications, like Notepad++ and Vivaldi web browser, have performed exceptionally well, demonstrating the potential of Steam's Proton compatibility layer beyond gaming.",
  "summary": "Instead of using classic Wine, you can use Steam to run your Windows apps on Linux, and it's actually a better option.",
  "key_points": [
    "Steam's Proton compatibility layer runs Windows apps on Linux better than Wine.",
    "Proton's features aren't fully transferred to core Wine project.",
    "Each Steam-installed Windows app gets its own isolated Windows filesystem."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}