Easy Steps To Install WineHQ on Rocky Linux 9 – OrcaCore

In this article, we want to teach you How To Install WineHQ on Rocky Linux 9. At times, a Mac or Linux user may wonder if they would be able to run Windows applications and software on their operating system, without installing a copy of the Windows OS on their computer. WineHQ, a free software, and a program loader, does exactly this! It enables Linux, Mac, FreeBSD, and Solaris users to run Windows applications on their system, without running a copy of Microsoft Windows.

You can now proceed to the guide steps below on the OrcaCore website to run Windows apps with WineHQ on Rocky Linux 9.

Rocky Linux 9 is a solid choice for enterprise users and developers due to its long-term support and robust community. Installing WineHQ on Rocky Linux 9 can benefit you in multiple ways:

Run Windows applications without dual-booting.
Access a wider range of software.
Maintain a streamlined and efficient workflow.

Steps To Install WineHQ on Rocky Linux 9

To Install WineHQ on Rocky Linux 9, you must log in to your server as a non-root user with sudo privileges. To do this, you can follow our guide, the Initial Server Setup with Rocky Linux 9.

Wine Setup on Rocky Linux 9

By default, the Wine repository is not available in the default Rocky Linux repository. You need to build it from the source. First, update your local package index with the following command:

sudo dnf update -y

Install EPEL Repository

Then, you need to install the EPEL release on your server:

sudo dnf install epel-release -y

Enable PowerTools (CRB) on Rocky Linux 9

Here you need to enable the power tools with the following command:

sudo dnf config-manager --set-enabled crb

Install Development Tools

Next, install the development tools that you need to build the Wine Source code on your Rocky Linux 9 with the command below:

sudo dnf groupinstall 'Development Tools' -y

Also, you need to install the required packages on your server with the following command:

sudo dnf -y install gcc libX11-devel freetype-devel zlib-devel 
libxcb-devel libxslt-devel libgcrypt-devel libxml2-devel 
gnutls-devel libpng-devel libjpeg-turbo-devel 
libtiff-devel dbus-devel fontconfig-devel

Download and Build WineHQ From Source

Now you need to visit the WineHQ Downloads Page to copy the link address of the latest release and use the wget command to download it from the source:

At the current time, we write this article, the latest version is 7.18:

sudo wget https://dl.winehq.org/wine/source/7.x/wine-7.18.tar.xz

Extract your downloaded file with the following command:

sudo tar xvf wine-*.tar.xz

Then, switch to your Wine directory on Rocky Linux 9:

cd wine-*/

At this point, you can configure and install WineHQ on Rocky Linux 9 with the following commands:

sudo ./configure --enable-win64

sudo make install

This will take some time to complete.

Verify Wine Installation

Verify your Wine installation on Rocky Linux 9 by checking its version:

wine64 --version

Finally, you can start installing Windows programs on your Rocky Linux.

The syntax of it is like this:

wine64 ./<mark>path-to-your file.exe</mark>

Note: As you may know, Wine 9.12 has been released as the latest development release. You can read more by visiting Wine 9.12 Development Release.

Alternative Solutions for Running Windows Applications on Rocky Linux 9

While the above method details building WineHQ on Rocky Linux 9 from source, which provides greater control and potentially access to the latest features, it can be time-consuming and complex. Here are two alternative methods for running Windows applications on Rocky Linux 9: using Flatpak or utilizing a Virtual Machine.

1. Installing Wine via Flatpak:

Flatpak is a universal package manager that simplifies software installation across different Linux distributions. It provides a sandboxed environment, enhancing security and reducing potential conflicts with the host system. Installing Wine through Flatpak is often easier than building from source, though may not always provide the newest version.

Explanation: Flatpak packages are self-contained, including all dependencies required to run the application. This avoids dependency conflicts that can occur when installing software using the system’s package manager. The Flatpak version of Wine is generally well-maintained and offers a stable environment for running Windows applications.
Steps:
1. Install Flatpak: If Flatpak is not already installed, install it using the following command:
```
sudo dnf install flatpak
```
2. Add the Flathub repository: Flathub is the primary repository for Flatpak packages. Add it using the following command:
```
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
```
3. Install Wine via Flatpak: Install the Wine Flatpak package using the following command:
```
flatpak install flathub org.winehq.Wine
```
4. Run Windows applications: After installation, you can run Windows applications using the flatpak run command:
```
flatpak run org.winehq.Wine <path-to-your-exe-file>
```
  For example:
```
flatpak run org.winehq.Wine /path/to/your/application.exe
```

2. Using a Virtual Machine (VM) with Windows:

Another approach is to create a virtual machine on your Rocky Linux 9 system and install a copy of Windows within that VM. This method provides the most comprehensive compatibility for Windows applications, as they are running in their native environment.

Explanation: Virtual machines allow you to run an entire operating system within another operating system. This provides a completely isolated environment for Windows, minimizing potential conflicts with your Rocky Linux 9 installation. While this method requires more system resources than Wine, it often provides the best compatibility and performance for demanding Windows applications.
Tools: Popular virtualization software includes VirtualBox (open-source and free) and VMware Workstation Player (free for personal use).
Steps (using VirtualBox as an example):
1. Install VirtualBox:
```
sudo dnf install @virtualization
sudo dnf install VirtualBox
```
2. Download a Windows ISO: You will need a valid Windows ISO image. You can download this from Microsoft’s website (a license will be required for activation).
3. Create a New Virtual Machine: Open VirtualBox and click "New." Follow the on-screen instructions, allocating sufficient RAM and disk space for the Windows installation. Select the downloaded Windows ISO image as the boot device.
4. Install Windows: Start the VM and follow the Windows installation process.
5. Install Guest Additions (VirtualBox): After installing Windows, install the VirtualBox Guest Additions to improve performance and integration between the host and guest operating systems. This can usually be done by selecting "Devices" -> "Insert Guest Additions CD image…" from the VM’s menu and then running the installer inside the Windows VM.
6. Run Windows Applications: Once Windows is installed and configured within the VM, you can install and run Windows applications as you normally would.

Conclusion

In conclusion, by installing WineHQ on Rocky Linux 9 you can get the possibilities for running Windows applications seamlessly in a Linux environment. By following the steps to enable the EPEL repository, install dependencies, and configure WineHQ, users can enjoy accessing essential Windows software on Linux. Whether you’re a developer, gamer, or just need to run a specific Windows program, WineHQ is a versatile solution that brings flexibility to your system. Now, with WineHQ successfully installed, you can confidently explore and run your desired Windows applications directly on Rocky Linux 9. However, remember to consider Flatpak or a VM as potentially easier or more compatible alternatives.

Hope you enjoy it. You may like these articles:

Install Latest WineHQ on Linux Mint 21

Install WineHQ on Ubuntu 24.04

Set up NTP Server and Client on Rocky Linux 9

How To Install CSF Firewall on Rocky Linux 9