How To Install Wine on Manjaro

In this tutorial, we will show you how to install Wine on Manjaro. Wine, short for Wine Is Not an Emulator, is a compatibility layer that enables you to run Windows applications on Linux without the need for a virtual machine or dual-boot setup. Wine translates Windows API calls into native Linux calls, allowing Windows software to run seamlessly on your Linux system.

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 Wine on a Manjaro Linux.

Prerequisites

• A server or desktop running one of the following operating systems: Manjaro, and other Arch-based distributions.
• 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).
• Ensure that your Manjaro system is connected to the internet. This is crucial as it allows you to download the required packages and the Wine installation.
• 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 Wine on Manjaro

Step 1. To ensure a successful installation, it’s essential to have up-to-date package repositories. Use the following command to update your system’s package list:

sudo pacman -Syu
sudo pacman -S base-devel

Step 2. Installing Wine on Manjaro.

Now, let’s dive into the installation process. You have three main options: using Pacman or Yay and compiling Wine from source.

• Using Pacman to Install Wine

Installing Wine via Pacman is straightforward. In the Terminal, run:

sudo pacman -S wine

After the installation is complete, you can verify that Wine is correctly installed by running:

wine --version

• Using Yay to Install Wine

Yay is a fantastic tool for managing AUR packages, and it provides access to various Wine versions. To install Wine using Yay, follow these steps:

yay -S wine

To verify the installation, simply use the same command as before:

wine --version

• Compiling Wine from Source (for advanced users)

Compiling Wine from source allows you to customize your installation. However, it’s a more complex process and is recommended for experienced users.

mkdir ~/wine-source
cd ~/wine-source
wget https://dl.winehq.org/wine/source/8.x/wine-8.19.tar.xz
tar -xvf wine-8.19.tar.xz

Install the required build dependencies:

sudo pacman -S base-devel lib32-libpulse lib32-alsa-lib lib32-mpg123

Configure and build Wine:

cd wine-5.x
./configure
make
sudo make install

After installation, you can test the compiled Wine version with:

wine --version

Step 3. Configuring Wine

Wine, like any other software, requires configuration to function optimally. A Wine prefix is a dedicated directory that contains all the Windows files and settings for a specific application. Creating a Wine prefix ensures that different Windows applications don’t interfere with each other.

1. Explanation of Wine Prefixes

Wine prefixes are crucial for maintaining the integrity of your Windows applications. They keep each application isolated, preventing potential conflicts. To create a Wine prefix, use the wine command with the wineprefixcreate option. Here’s how:

WINEPREFIX=~/mywineprefix winecfg

This command creates a Wine prefix named mywineprefix in your home directory.

2. Installing Windows Applications with Wine

Now that you have a Wine prefix, you can install Windows applications in it. To do this, navigate to the directory where your application’s installer (.exe or .msi file) is located, and run the following command:

WINEPREFIX=~/mywineprefix wine setup.exe

Replace setup.exe with the name of your installer.

Step 4. Tips and Best Practices.

Here are some tips and best practices for ensuring a smooth experience with Wine on Manjaro Linux:

1. Regularly Update Wine and Manjaro

Keeping both Wine and your Manjaro system up to date is crucial for compatibility and security. Periodically run the update commands mentioned earlier to stay current.

2. Back Up Your Wine Prefix

It’s a good practice to back up your Wine prefixes, especially if you have critical applications installed. This ensures that you can easily restore your setup in case of issues or system changes.

3. Join the Manjaro and Wine Communities

The Linux community is vast and supportive. Joining Manjaro and Wine forums or communities can be invaluable. You can seek assistance, share experiences, and learn from other users who have faced similar challenges.

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