Soluții

How to use PlayOnLinux to install Windows Apps on Linux

PlayOnLinux serves as a graphical front-end for Wine, which is a compatibility layer that allows you to enjoy Windows software on Linux without installing a full Windows virtual machine. PlayOnLInux is especially appealing if, like me, you find Wine’s command-line complexity daunting.

The PlayOnLinux is present in the repositories of various major Linux distributions. However, if you prefer the most current version, you can download the .deb file from the PlayOnLinux download page. For example, for Ubuntu and Debian-based Distributions (like Linux Mint and Pop!_OS), use APT:

sudo apt install playonlinux

Fedora users can use DNF, the modern package manager, to install PlayOnLinux.

sudo dnf install playonlinux

For Arch Linux and Arch-based distributions, run:

sudo pacman -S playonlinux

Additionally, for all distributions, PlayOnLinux is available via Flatpak, offering a universal installation method.

flatpak install flathub com.playonlinux.PlayOnLinux4

It’s also recommended to add 32-bit Wine support if you’re using a 64-bit system, as certain Windows applications run solely on 32-bit Wine. You can enable 32-bit Wine support by running these commands:

dpkg --add-architecture i386 
sudo apt update
sudo apt install wine64 wine32

Once installed, you should be able to find PlayOnLinux in your Applications menu.

If you encounter an error while launching PlayOnLinux, ensure you have the asyncore module installed. If not, you can install it by executing sudo apt install python3-pyasyncore command on Ubuntu, or search for the package on your system’s package manager.

When you open it for the first time, you’ll be greeted by the PlayOnLinux main window. It’s a pretty straightforward interface with buttons like “Install a Program,” “Configure Wine,” and “Run.”

Install and Run Windows Program

Now, let’s actually use PlayOnLinux to run a Windows program. To keep things simple and relatable, let’s take a classic example: Notepad++, a popular text editor for Windows.

  • Open PlayOnLinux from your Applications menu. In the main window, you’ll see a button labeled Install a Program or Install. Click on that.
  • A new window will pop up, titled PlayOnLinux Install Menu. Here, you can either search for a program by name or navigate via categories.
  • In the search bar at the top, type Notepad and press Enter. You should see Notepad++ appear in the list of applications.
  • Click on Notepad Plus Plus to select it, and then click Install.

PlayOnLinux will now start a wizard to navigate you along the installation process. It might ask you a few questions, and it will likely download the necessary Wine components if it hasn’t already. Just go with the on-screen directives. It’s usually pretty self-explanatory.

Once the installation is complete, you should see Notepad++ listed in the main PlayOnLinux window. To run it, simply select Notepad++ in the PlayOnLinux window and click the Run button.

What if your Program isn’t Listed?

If the Windows program you want to install isn’t in PlayOnLinux’s list of predefined scripts, don’t worry! You can still install it. In the PlayOnLinux Install window, look for the option “Install a Non-Listed Program” (usually at the bottom-left). Click on it.

Then follow the installation wizard and provide the installer file of your Windows program (usually an EXE file). PlayOnLinux will then create a Wine prefix and let you run the installer within that prefix.

Once the installation is complete, you can run the program the same way you did earlier from the PlayOnLinux main window. You can also create desktop shortcuts on your Linux desktop and run your Windows program directly from there.

You can configure Wine settings for each installed application to optimize performance or resolve compatibility issues. To configure Wine settings for a specific program in PlayOnLinux, first, select the Program you want to configure from the list of installed applications. Then click Configure.

In this window, you can adjust various settings, such as, Windows version, display settings, or any other advanced options. For example, you can change the Wine version for a specific program, emulate different Windows versions (e.g., Windows XP, 7) to match application requirements or enable/disable OpenGL and others.

PlayOnLinux vs. Modern Alternatives (Bottles and Heroic)

PlayOnLinux is known for its simplicity and straightforward interface; it has been a favorite for years. The familiar, wizard-driven setup makes it accessible even to newcomers. But is it still viable today? Newer alternatives like Bottles are considered very easy to use, even for beginners. It simplifies the creation and management of Wine environments (which it calls Bottles). Also, creating a new Bottle for an application is very straightforward.

Just like PlayOnLinux, Bottles also is highly flexible. It lets you easily switch between different Wine versions and also provides more granular control over Wine settings and dependencies.

Heroic Games Launcher, on the other hand, is primarily focused on gaming, but you can also use it to install and run any Windows apps on Linux using an EXE installation file. For example, to run Notepad++, you need to download its EXE file and manually add it to Heroic Launcher as a custom game using the Add Game option. You also need to configure it to use Wine or Proton in the game’s settings within Heroic before you start using it.

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How to add new user account on Mac

Adding a new user account on a Mac allows multiple users to have their own customized environment:

  1. Open System Preferences:
    • Click on the Apple menu in the top left corner and select “System Preferences.”
  2. Go to Users & Groups:
    • In the System Preferences window, click on “Users & Groups.”
  3. Unlock the Settings:
    • Click the lock icon in the bottom left corner and enter your administrator password to make changes.
  4. Add a New User:
    • Click the “+” button below the list of users.
  5. Choose Account Type:
    • Select the type of account you want to create (Standard, Administrator, Managed with Parental Controls, or Sharing Only).
  6. Enter User Information:
    • Enter the new user’s full name, account name, and password.
    • Optionally, you can add a password hint.
  7. Create the Account:
    • Click “Create User” to add the new account.
  8. Set Up the Account:
    • Log out of your account and log in to the new user account to set it up.
    • Follow the setup assistant to configure the user’s preferences.
  9. Customize User Settings:
    • Customize the new user’s desktop, applications, and other settings as needed.
  10. Set Up Parental Controls (if applicable):
    • If the account is for a child, set up parental controls by selecting the user and clicking “Open Parental Controls”.
  11. Manage Accounts:
    • Return to “Users & Groups” to manage user accounts, change passwords, or delete accounts as needed.
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How to reset network settings on Mac

The first way to reset a Mac’s network settings is to delete your Wi-Fi connection and then add it again.

Macs running macOS Ventura (13) and earlier will select System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi connection > – (Minus) sign > Apply.

  • Click the Wi-Fi icon in menu bar.

Wi-Fi icon in macOS menu bar.

  • Choose Wi-Fi Settings.

You can also get to this area from Apple icon > System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi Settings option from Wi-Fi menu bar in macOS.

  1. Select Details beside the network to forget.

  2. Details button beside a network connection from Wi-Fi settings in macOS.

  3. Choose Forget This Network at the bottom left.

  4. Click Remove to confirm the deletion. Make sure that you have your Wi-fi login information. You will need to re-enter it after the next step.

  5. Finally, re-add your Wi-fi connection from the Wi-Fi menu.

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