How To Install PlayOnLinux on Debian 12

In this tutorial, we will show you how to install PlayOnLinux on Debian 12. PlayOnLinux is a remarkable graphical front-end for Wine, a compatibility layer that allows you to run Windows applications on Linux systems. Whether you need Microsoft Office, a particular game, or any other Windows software, PlayOnLinux simplifies the installation process and ensures compatibility.

The benefits of using PlayOnLinux on Debian 12 are substantial. You can enjoy your favorite Windows software without limitations, all while maintaining the stability and reliability that Debian is renowned for. Whether you’re a gamer, a professional needing specific Windows applications, or simply curious, PlayOnLinux empowers you to make the most of your Debian 12 experience.

This article assumes you have at least basic knowledge of Linux, know how to use the shell, and most importantly, you host your site on your own VPS. The installation is quite simple and assumes you are running in the root account, if not you may need to add ‘sudo‘ to the commands to get root privileges. I will show you the step-by-step installation of the PlayOnLinux on a Debian 12 (Bookworm).

Prerequisites

• A server running one of the following operating systems: Debian 12 (Bookworm).
• It’s recommended that you use a fresh OS install to prevent any potential issues.
• SSH access to the server (or just open Terminal if you’re on a desktop).
• An active internet connection. You’ll need an internet connection to download the necessary packages and dependencies for PlayOnLinux.
• A non-root sudo user or access to the root user. We recommend acting as a non-root sudo user, however, as you can harm your system if you’re not careful when acting as the root.

Install PlayOnLinux on Debian 12 Bookworm

Step 1. Before we install any software, it’s important to make sure your system is up to date by running the following apt commands in the terminal:

sudo apt update

This command will refresh the repository, allowing you to install the latest versions of software packages.

Step 2. Installing Dependencies.

To run PlayOnLinux effectively, we need to install a few dependencies, with Wine being the most critical. Wine is the backbone of PlayOnLinux, providing compatibility with Windows applications. Install it using:

sudo apt install wine

Step 3. Installing PlayOnLinux on Debian 12.

Begin by obtaining the PlayOnLinux script. You can use either wget or curl to download it:

wget https://www.playonlinux.com/script_files/PlayOnLinux/4.3.4/PlayOnLinux_4.3.4.deb

Or:

curl -O https://www.playonlinux.com/script_files/PlayOnLinux/4.3.4/PlayOnLinux_4.3.4.deb

If you prefer installing PlayOnLinux from the DEB package you downloaded earlier, use the following command:

sudo dpkg -i PlayOnLinux_4.3.4.deb

Wait for the installation process to complete. Once it’s done, you can launch PlayOnLinux from the applications menu or by running the following command in the terminal:

playonlinux

Step 4. Installing Windows Applications.

PlayOnLinux simplifies the process of installing Windows applications on Debian 12. You have two primary methods at your disposal: using the PlayOnLinux interface or utilizing the Command Line. We’ll cover both options.

Using PlayOnLinux Interface

1. Launch PlayOnLinux using the playonlinux command.
2. In the PlayOnLinux interface, navigate to the “Install a program” option in the left sidebar.
3. Search for the application you want to install in the available list.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions, which will guide you through the installation process. PlayOnLinux will take care of setting up a virtual environment for your application, ensuring compatibility.

Using the Command Line

While the PlayOnLinux interface is user-friendly, you might prefer the Command Line for its efficiency and automation capabilities.

• Installing from a Local Setup File.

To install a Windows application from a local setup file (an .exe or .msi file), you can use the playonlinux-bash command. Replace application_setup_file.exe with the actual filename of the setup file:

playonlinux-bash -c "POL_Wine_InstallProgram 'application_setup_file.exe'"

This command will use PlayOnLinux’s Wine installation to run the setup file and install the application.

• Installing from the Web.

PlayOnLinux also allows you to download and install applications directly from the internet. Use the playonlinux-bash command and provide the URL of the application’s installer:

playonlinux-bash -c "POL_Wine_InstallMethod 'URL_of_application_installer'"

This method is handy when you want to install applications not listed in the PlayOnLinux interface.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed PlayOnLinux. Thanks for using this tutorial to install the latest version of the PlayOnLinux on Debian 12 Bookworm. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official PlayOnLinux website.