How to Install Wine on OpenBSD: Complete Guide to Running Windows Apps

Wine is a software that allows running Windows applications on different operating systems, such as Linux and Unix. Recently, an experimental port of Wine for OpenBSD has been developed, an operating system known for its focus on security and stability. This development enables the execution of dozens of 64-bit Windows applications, including some games, on OpenBSD.

This innovation is useful for OpenBSD users who want to access Windows software without using virtual machines or dual boot. It is particularly relevant for developers, system administrators, and advanced users who use OpenBSD for professional or personal purposes and need compatibility with Windows applications.

The porting of Wine to OpenBSD was made possible thanks to teamwork that overcame significant technical obstacles, such as managing the %gs register. This result represents a step forward in Windows application compatibility on OpenBSD, extending the possibilities of using the operating system.

Prerequisites

• Operating System: OpenBSD
• Architecture: 64-bit
• Additional Software: vkd3d-proton (for D3D12 support via Vulkan)
• User Account: A non-privileged user account dedicated to running Wine

PROCEDURE: Installing and Testing Wine on OpenBSD

This guide will allow you to install and test Wine on OpenBSD, an operating system known for its strict security. At the end of the procedure, you will be able to run some 64-bit Windows applications on OpenBSD.

Step 1: Creating a Non-Privileged User

• Open a terminal on OpenBSD.
• Create a new non-privileged user with the following command: doas useradd -m username
• Replace username with the name you want for the new user.

Step 2: Logging in with the Non-Privileged User

• Run the command: su - username
• Enter the user's password when prompted.

Step 3: Installing Wine

• Download the experimental Wine port. At the time of writing this guide, it is not yet officially available in OpenBSD ports, so follow the instructions provided in the OpenBSD mailing list to obtain the port.
• Compile and install Wine with the following commands: cd /path/to/wine-port make doas make install
• Replace /path/to/wine-port with the actual path of the Wine port directory.

Step 4: Installing vkd3d-proton

• To run applications that require D3D12 via Vulkan, such as The Witcher 3, you need to install vkd3d-proton.
• Download and install vkd3d-proton following the specific instructions for OpenBSD.

Step 5: Testing Wine with Notepad++

• Download the 64-bit Notepad++ installer from the official website.
• Run Wine to install Notepad++ with the following command: wine /path/to/notepad++-installer.exe
• Follow the Notepad++ guided installation procedure.

Step 6: Running Notepad++

Step 7: Testing with Other Applications

• Try running other 64-bit Windows applications following the same method described for Notepad++.
• Keep in mind that Wine on OpenBSD is still experimental and there may be limitations.

Step 8: Feedback and Improvements

• If you encounter problems or have suggestions for improving the Wine port on OpenBSD, send an email to the OpenBSD mailing list or participate in the discussion on Reddit.
• For more details, see Frohwein's announcement on marc.info.

Verification and Troubleshooting

At the end of this guide, you will be able to test the functionality of Wine on OpenBSD and resolve any common issues.

Functionality Test

• Check the installation: Open a terminal and type the command wine --version. You should see the installed version of Wine.
• Test with a simple application: Install the 64-bit version of Notepad++ following the instructions provided. Launch the application with the command wine /path/to/notepad++.exe.
• Check execution: If Notepad++ starts correctly, Wine is working. Try with other 64-bit applications to test further.

Troubleshooting

• Problems with 32-bit applications: Currently, Wine on OpenBSD does not support running 32-bit applications. Make sure to use only 64-bit software.
• Disabled test suite: Some tests in Wine's test suite may not work correctly. Ignore these tests and focus on real tests with applications.
• Security issues: Run Wine under a non-privileged user account to avoid potential security issues.
• Performance issues: If you encounter performance issues, make sure you have installed vkd3d-proton for D3D12 support via Vulkan.

Feedback and Support

If you encounter problems that are not resolvable with the solutions above, consult Frohwein's original announcement here and participate in the discussion on the OpenBSD mailing list to get additional support.

At the end of this guide, you will have understood the importance of porting Wine to OpenBSD and the necessary steps to test this experimental feature.

• Educational Summary:
• The porting of Wine to OpenBSD represents a significant milestone, enabling the execution of 64-bit Windows applications, including some games.
• The development team overcame technical obstacles, such as the %gs register issue, thanks to an innovative software solution.
• Currently, the port is limited to 64-bit software and requires further improvements for compatibility with 32-bit applications.
• The OpenBSD community is invited to test and provide feedback to refine this feature.

• Call to Action:
• Start with lightweight applications like Notepad++ to test the Wine port on OpenBSD.
• Contribute to the OpenBSD community by sharing your results and suggestions to improve compatibility.