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Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

Cyber Cynic

Easily run Windows apps on Linux with CrossOver Linux 8

38 comments

TAGS:applications, CrossOver, desktop linux, Linux, Review, Windows
IT TOPICS:Desktop Applications, Linux, Macintosh & Apple, Open Source, Operating Systems, Software, Windows & Microsoft

I was running Windows, and before it came along, MS-DOS, applications on Unix and Linux for ages. It was never especially easy, but experts could do it. With CodeWeavers' latest CrossOver Linux 8, though, it's become so easy that anyone should be able to do it.

Now, if all your desktop needs are already being met by Linux applications, you don't need to worry with Crossover. But, if like many of us, you still want to use Quicken for your banking or you're stuck with a Web site that refused to work with any Web browser except Internet Explorer, then Crossover Linux 8 is for you.

CrossOver Linux 8 is built on top of the open-source project Wine. This is an implementation of the Windows API (application programming interface) on top of the Unix/Linux operating system family. As far as any given program is concerned, it's running on Windows so you don't have to tweak the applicaton itself to run on Linux. Wine is a very active project, with 16 years of development behind it. In other words, this program has been better-tested for Windows compatibility than almost any native Windows operating system.

You can use Wine alone to run Windows programs, but it requires a fair amount of technical expertise. With CrossOver, you don't need to be an expert.

CrossOver Linux delivers automated Windows application installation and technical support. If you'd rather just run your Windows application, and not worry over whether it will run better in Windows 98 or XP mode, CrossOver Linux, which sells for $39.95 for a single-user license or $69.95 for a multi-user license, is well worth the money. I know this for a fact, because I've bought CrossOver licenses myself.

I put this latest version of CrossOver to the test on two different PCs. The first is my main Linux desktop on which I run MEPIS 8, a Debian Linux. This is a Dell Inspiron 530s, powered by a 2.2GHz Intel Pentium E2200 dual-core processor with an 800MHz front side bus, 4GB of RAM, a 500GB SATA drive, and an Integrated Intel 3100 Graphics Media Accelerator.

I also tried CrossOver 8 on my Ubuntu 9.04 desktop. This is an older Gateway 503GR running Ubuntu 8.04. It comes with a 3GHz Pentium 4 CPU, 2GB of RAM, an ATI Radeon 250 graphics card, and a 300GB SATA drive. Neither machine is close to being state of the art, but they both have more than enough resources to run Linux, CrossOver Linux, and multiple Windows and Linux programs at the same time.

CrossOver 8 will run on any modern Linux. It comes in versions for 32-bit and 64-bit Debian and Ubuntu Linux-based distributions and for 32-bit Red Hat, Mandriva, and SUSE distributions. In addition, there's a distribution agnostic version, which will install on any up-to-date Linux. While I didn't test it out to any real extent, I did find that CrossOver seemed to work just fine on Fedora 11 and openSUSE 11.1. No matter what version of Linux you run, CrossOver will do fine on all three of the popular Linux interfaces: GNOME, KDE 3, and KDE 4.

Installing Windows applications with it is mindlessly simple. You just pick, which popular Windows application you want to install and either start the download or pop in the CD or DVD. You can also install Windows applications, which haven't been tested throughly. Some, such as my favorite HTML editor, Fookes Software NoteTab, run more than well enough to be useful.

CrossOver already supports though a large number of popular Windows applications. The list includes Office 97 to 2007, Quicken, Internet Explorer, and QuickTime. The multi-user version also comes with support for Windows games like World of Warcraft and, my personal favorite, Guild Wars. Since I play Guild Wars competitively, I can assure you that, much as I like Linux, I wouldn't be running a Windows game on it if the game wasn't as responsive on Linux as it is on Windows.

This particular version of CrossOver also comes with new support for Internet Explorer 7 and Quicken 2009. It also includes many fit, polish, and performance enhancements.

While CrossOver can't run every Windows program, and you will find glitches from time to time in some others, it really does make it possible to run the most often needed Windows applications without having to pay for Windows. I must also add, that in some cases, such as with Quicken, I've found CrossOver to be more compatible with the popular finance program than Microsoft's own Vista has been.

Not sure if it will work for you? Judge for youself. You can download a free 30-day trial version of CrossOver Linux. Finally, I must mention that CodeWeavers also offers CrossOver Mac, which brings the same functionality to Intel-powered Macs. I use this to Quicken for Windows on a Mac, since, for reasons that only Quicken's maker Intuit might know, the Mac and Windows versions of Quicken use incompatible data formats.

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Old column, but new comment

Submitted by Trapper John on January 9, 2010 - 9:19 A.M.

Recently rebuilt my Ubuntu 9.10 system with Mint 8. My home directory was separately partitioned, was able to keep it intact. I was very pleased to see that Crossover survived intact, as well as the Windows apps I had installed. :-)

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Netbook

Submitted by Dean on June 23, 2009 - 4:08 P.M.

This would run no problem on a Linux Netbook running Ubuntu 8 with a 16gb Solid State Drive and Gb of Ram?

Was thinking about buying a netbook to run some of our offices proprietary (windows) software, since lugging my laptop is getting a bit tiresome, and I would appreciate the faster start up times (of a linux box). Thx in advance.

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haha, good one with the

Submitted by JanekM on June 23, 2009 - 9:31 A.M.

haha, good one with the virus magnet.

I think CrossOver and WINE are great projects and opens up new domain for software developers. Imagine if programmers design their software that runs on WINE, Mac & Windows from the same installation CD. Just like many games requre DirectX, developers can test their software to make sure it runs under WINE, Mac & Windows; then they can say requirements: WINE, Mac or Windows, hence increasing programmer's market. Take the OS out of the picture and run the software on a platform that can be installed on any OS. Developers test their software to make sure it runs on Windows, they can also test it to make sure it runs on WINE, this way the WINE will have a larger list of compatible software. I have a MATLAB CD, and I can install it on Linux, MAC, or Windows; but since I'm running 64bit Ubuntu, 32bit MATLAB won't install. So I installed MATLAB under CrossOver, it works but it does crash once in a while(I don't know why)

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I can't help but shake my

Submitted by Technoslick on June 23, 2009 - 7:47 A.M.

I can't help but shake my head at the responses to this entry, Steven. The same old, tired, overworked dogma never ceases to be spread.

First off, thanks for the review of version 8. I have used CrossOver Office on and off for several years and therefore can appreciate CodeWeaver's hard work on this product. I have always had the sense of what the product was designed to do as well as its limitations. But as you can see from some of the comments here, our opinions tend to come from our own experiences more so than from a stepped-back view of the overall picture.

I can think of several valid, real-world reasons for using CrossOver on Linux, but ANY application that helps motivate, push, retain or transmogrify a Windows user into a Linux user is a worthwhile program. It's not about the cost alone, but availability and need. People aren't going to change their ways suddenly, often not at all, regardless of what is better for them. Not all Linux users are going to cut the grade as techie, or will ever care to, so playing around with WINE isn't always the answer. Ever try to install a virtualized O/S into a tired old box with too little memory and horsepower? The best answer isn't to fill our landfills with useful PCs for newer machines or make someone run Windows in dual-boot or on a stand-alone machine when a small fee makes it all happen in one place.

I have been servicing residential and commercial accounts for over 20 years. I can attest to how difficult it can be to make a person or company change its ways or beliefs. Getting these people and such companies to even use Linux in any capacity is a major feat that I am not willing to muck up with elitist thinking. And strangely enough, they are more at ease paying for the solution than having it come free. Whatever makes them work within Linux is fine with me. Whatever solves the need is more important than what I would do for myself.

CrossOver Office is *perfect* for the user that is on (or recently transfered over to) Linux, maybe through the help of a prodding friend, who isn't a Linux guru and can't let go of one or more Windows apps. It was NOT designed as the cure-all for Windows apps in Linux. Trying to assess it as one makes no sense.

It's never been about 'all or none,' but about choice. CrossOver Office gives one possible choice to PC users who are not Linux experts. Period. To the extent that the product was designed for, it does work well and is therefore valuable to those in need. Kudos to CodeWeavers for their efforts, their foresight and their perseverance. They realize the world is gray, not black-and-white.

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Any comments on how well

Submitted by Anonymouse on June 22, 2009 - 10:10 P.M.

Any comments on how well software with malware ('copy protection') works under CrossOver? I had recently discovered that some 'copy protection' scams such as 'SecuROM' will not even allow me to install my legitimately bought software under WinDuhs running within a virtual machine.

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malware

Submitted by SamIAm on July 23, 2009 - 10:57 P.M.

Secure Rom KILLS CD DRIVES! I run a computer repair shop(going on 20 years now!) Secure ROM has caused about 50-60% of CD drive failure and should be the defendant in a HUGE class action lawsuit!

I can even re-create the circumstances that cause this to happen, if any smart lawyer is looking for work Secure ROM is a great target.

DON'T buy software using secure ROM whatever OS you use.

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...or you could always use Windows

Submitted by Anonymoose on June 22, 2009 - 9:23 P.M.

and have all of your Windows software work perfectly on your Windows machine.

If you want to use Windows software then don't use Linux. I wouldn't buy an Apple computer to run Microsoft applications.

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The only reasons I use wine

Submitted by Anonymous on June 23, 2009 - 9:18 A.M.

The only reasons I use wine or Cross Over (which I think the new version is doing a great job) is to run the occassional game and mostly to run Peachtree 2005 which is my accounting software for my business.

People can say go use Windows, etc,etc. But the truth is that while wine or Cross Over are not perfect (but getting there), I am able to continue to use an accounting program that I being using since 1998. In fact under Cross Over if I the program crashes (it occasinally does that even in windows) I don't have to rebuild the database as it often happens under Windows. Under linux The program runs a lot faster and smoother.

So small minded people can say what ever they want, bottom line: wine and Cross Over are doing a great job helping those that still need the occassional Windows tool to be able to work from their linux desktops (I have 3).

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Ha!

Submitted by Dann on June 23, 2009 - 2:20 A.M.

Or you could have Windows software running on a faster, stabler, Linux machine for even less than the price of a Windows License Key.

Using Crossover sure beats booting up a VM or waiting for M$ to load.

Money from Crossover also trickles down to the WINE project, meaing that every license sold does more for the overall good of Linux users than the pockets of CEO's.

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I'm with you on this one.

Submitted by Anonymous on June 22, 2009 - 9:36 P.M.

If you really need Windows applications you'd better stay with Windows (perhaps as a VM on top of Linux). Working hard to make those apps running in Linux will achieve nothing but prolonging your addiction to Windows. A better way to spend your creativity will be to find replacement for those apps.

"prodded in" - Nice captcha!

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