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#4605541 - 08/09/22 07:45 PM Bottles run Windows apps on Linux with ease  
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 602
FsFOOT Offline
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FsFOOT  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 602


Manage and run Windows apps on Linux with ease
Written by Sk


The most common reason to dual boot Linux with Windows OS is Games!

Linux is great, but it sucks on Games support. Not just games, some propriety software from Adobe and Microsoft still lacks Linux support.
Thankfully, there are a few software exists to run Windows applications and games on Linux.

Some notable applications are CrossOver, PlayonLinux, Lutris, and Wine etc.
In this guide, we will discuss about yet another similar application called Bottles, which allows us to run Windows software on Linux.

What is Bottles?
Bottles is a free, open source graphical application to manage Wine prefixes in a new way. Using Bottles, we can easily run Windows software and Games on Linux operating systems.
You can run all windows executables such as  .bat, .exe, and .msi  in Bottles. It will automatically detect all installed applications. No need to manually add to the programs list!

Isn't it similar to PlayonLinux, Lutris, Winetricks? You might wonder.

Yes, Bottles is similar to PlayonLinux and Lutris, but better. It is little more polished application than its counterparts and has a few extra features and a nice UI. Of course, Lutris can also effectively manage the wine prefixes.
As far as I observed, Lutris is a game manager (not just for Windowsgames), while Bottles is a GUI wrapper for wine to run and manage Wine prefixes, where Windows software can run (games or not).

Let us discuss a few features of Bottles.

1. Bottles environments
Bottle introduces a concept of Environments. The Bottles Environments are nothing but a bundle of ready-to-use configuration settings,libraries and dependencies that helps us to smoothly run Windows apps and games on a Linux PC. You can create bottles based on the environment. Currently, Bottles offers three Environments: Gaming  (forgames), Software  (for Windows apps), and  Custom  (make your own custom environment).

2. Manage multiple windows prefixes
Managing multiple Wine prefixes can be a pain, and is time consuming task. Thanks to Bottles application, it simplifies the process for day today use. You can create different prefixes for different applications if you want, called different "bottles".

3. Built-in dependency manager and Task manager
As you already know, each Windows application requires one or more dependencies to work properly. Fortunately, Bottles ships with an integrated dependency manager. The dependency manager will automatically installs the dependencies required by a windows app or a game. And Bottles application comes with a built-in Task manager to monitor all wine processes.

4. Customization
Bottles is highly customizable. You can tweak your Windows environment as you please. You can choose and use various runners and optimizations such as dxvk, vkd3d, gamemode, esync, fsync etc., for better gaming performance.
There are two types of runners in Bottles. They are:
Wine
Proton
Automatic installation and management of Wine and Proton runners is supported. You can also change the runner for any Bottle on thefly! It checks runner updates for each Bottles and automatically repair Bottles in case of breakage.

HeadsUp: Therunners are compatibility layers which allows Windows software tobe installed and run on Linux systems. Bottles are environments where the runner configures the system and where the Windows runs and is installed.

5. Restore Bottles to previous version
Yet another notable feature of Bottles application is 
Versioning The features allows the users to easily restore Bottles to previous working state when something goes wrong!

6. Configuring Bottles is easy!
Sometimes I find it little difficult to manage the prefix itself in Lutris, because all the configuration is pretty decentralized. Bottles is really good for running general applications, especially because you don't usually NEED advanced configuration for them.

7. Bottles are sandboxed Running Windows applications with Bottles is safe! Bottles are fully isolated from the rest of the operating system. The files can not access your Linux operating system's HOME directory. For now, Bottles Flatpak package version is only fully-sandboxed! The other versions provides partial sandbox support.

8. Backup Bottles
We can backup and import bottles from older version and also from other managers such as Lutris, PlayonLinux etc.

Install Bottles in Linux
Bottles is available as Flatpak, AppImage, Snap, AUR, and on system package managers.

1. Install Bottles using Flatpak
The officially recommended way to install Bottles is using Flatpak.Because Flatpak is the only version that supports full-sandboxed version. Many recent Linux distributions comes with Flatpak pre-installed Just in case, if Flatpak is not available on your Linux machine, you can install Flatpak

HowTo Install And Use Flatpak In Linux
After installing Flatpak, run the following command to install Bottles using Flatpak:
Code
 $ flatpak install flathub com.usebottles.bottles 


2. Install Bottles from AUR
If you're running Arch Linux and its variants like EndeavourOS, Manjaro Linux, you cna install Bottles from AUR using Paru  or  Yay  AUR helpers.
Code
 $ paru -S bottles 
Or,
Code
 $ yay -S bottles 


If you want to install unofficial latest build, run:
Code
 $ paru -S bottles-git 
Or,
Code
 $ yay -S bottles-git 


3.Install Bottles using package manager
Bottles is packaged for a few Linux distributions and is available in the default repositories.

To install Bottles in Fedora, run:
Code
 $ dnf install bottles 
- - -

Install Bottles in Void Linux:
Code
 $ nix-env -iA nixos.bottles 


To install Bottles on openSUSE Tumbleweed, run the following as root user:
Code
 # zypper addrepo https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/games:tools/openSUSE_Tumbleweed/games:tools.repo
 # zypper refresh
 # zypper install bottles 


For openSUSE Leap 15.2, run the following as  root
Code
 # zypper addrepo https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/games:tools/openSUSE_Leap_15.2/games:tools.repo
 # zypper refresh
 # zypper install bottles 

...


edited by FsFOOT from BBcode converted by https://www.garyshood.com/htmltobb/

links:

https://usebottles.com/

https://docs.usebottles.com/faq/why-bottles

#4606054 - 08/15/22 08:58 PM Re: Bottles run Windows apps on Linux with ease [Re: FsFOOT]  
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 602
FsFOOT Offline
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FsFOOT  Offline
Member

Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 602
Solving problems on Ubuntu installing Bottle on Flatpak:

For Linux Mint 19.3 (ubuntu 18.04) or earlier I would suggest upgrade to at least 20.3 if you using "Mate"

Or else you have to upgrade Flakpak to at least 1.12. This is because Mint 19.3 has only flatpak version 1.0.9

You can check from terminal with

flatpak --version

This is because if you use 'Software Manager" or APT to install Bottles from Flatpak, you get failure due to flatpak version. Bottles will need 1.12 .

You can upgrade flatpak via these instructions

Originally Posted by Ubuntu Quick Setup


Ubuntu Quick Setup
Follow these simple steps to start using Flatpak

Install Flatpak
To install Flatpak on Ubuntu 18.10 (Cosmic Cuttlefish) or later, simply run:


sudo apt install flatpak

With older Ubuntu versions, the official Flatpak PPA is the recommended way to install Flatpak. To install it, run the following in a terminal:


sudo add-apt-repository ppa:flatpak/stable
sudo apt update
sudo apt install flatpak

Install the Software Flatpak plugin
The Flatpak plugin for the Software app makes it possible to install apps without needing the command line. To install, run:


sudo apt install gnome-software-plugin-flatpak

Note: the Software app is distributed as a Snap since Ubuntu 20.04 and does not support graphical installation of Flatpak apps. Installing the Flatpak plugin will also install a deb version of Software and result in two Software apps being installed at the same time.

Add the Flathub repository
Flathub is the best place to get Flatpak apps. To enable it, run:


flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Restart
To complete setup, restart your system. Now all you have to do is install some apps!



So you see this means you have to add a PPA. The PPA is same listed here: https://launchpad.net/~flatpak/+archive/ubuntu/stable

After doing all the measures lised above reboot and then open "Update Manager" and you will see flatpak new version listed. Then update to install completely.

Then install Bottles via the 'Soffware Manager'. Reboot again to be sure.

[i]That said you might issues later if you have Mate or use Mate system log.;
gtk_text_buffer_emit_insert: assertion 'g_utf8_validate (text, len, NULL)' failed
(Its not a big issue just annoying, since it spams the log)
Maybe because the girl1.2 version (search in Synaptic) is later than 1.0 (although I'm not an expert on this by far - its just a possible)

So really I would reccomend upgrade first. Its a bit inconvenient

Mint 19.3 has Mate (mate-desktop) version 1.22.2 Later Mint has Mate version 1.26

You can compare version on Distrowatch via their search tool;
https://distrowatch.com/search.php

to wit;
Originally Posted by Distrowatch package comparision tool

Please select two distributions and then a specific version of each distribution to compare.

Code
Please select two distributions and then a specific version of each distribution to compare.


Linux Mint
 

Linux Mint
 

19.3 tricia
 

20.3 una
 

Show: Major packages only (52) All tracked packages (224)     

Complete summaries of the Linux Mint and Linux Mint projects are available.

Note: In case where multiple versions of a package are shipped with a distribution, only the default version appears in the table. For indication about the GNOME version, please check the "nautilus" and "gnome-shell" packages. The apache web server is listed as "httpd" and the Linux kernel is listed as "linux". The KDE desktop is represented by the "kde-workspace" and "plasma-desktop" packages and the Xfce desktop by the "xfdesktop" package.

A complete package list for further comparison is available.
Package	Linux Mint 19.3 tricia	Linux Mint 20.3 una
abiword (3.0.5)	--	--
alsa-lib (1.2.7.2)	1.1.3	1.2.2
amdgpu (22.20.1)	19.0.1	19.1.0
bash (5.1.16)	4.4	5.0
bind (9.18.5)	--	--
chromium (104.0.5112.79)	--	--
cups (2.4.2)	2.2.7	2.3.1
dhcp (4.4.3)	4.3.5	4.4.1
e2fsprogs (1.46.5)	1.44.1	1.45.5
firefox (103.0.2)	71.0	95.0.1
freetype (2.12.1)	2.8.1	2.10.1
gcc (12.1.0)	7.4.0	9.3.0
gimp (2.10.32)	--	--
glibc (2.36)	2.27	2.31
gnome-shell (42.4)	--	--
gnucash (4.11)	--	--
gnumeric (1.12.52)	--	--
grub (2.06)	2.02	2.04
gtk (4.6.6)	3.22.30	3.24.18
httpd (2.4.54)	--	--
inkscape (1.2.1)	--	--
k3b (22.04.3)	--	--
kmod (30)	24	27
krita (5.0.8)	--	--
libreoffice (7.3.5)	6.0.7	6.4.7
linux (5.19.1)	5.0	5.4
Package	Linux Mint 19.3 tricia	Linux Mint 20.3 una
lxpanel (0.10.1)	--	--
mariadb (10.8.3)	--	--
mate-desktop (1.26.0)	1.22.2	1.26.0
mesa (22.1.6)	19.0.8	21.0.3
mysql (8.0.30)	--	--
nautilus (42.2)	--	--
NVIDIA (515.65.01)	--	--
openbox (3.6.1)	--	--
openjdk (18.0.1)	11.0.4	11.0.11
openssh (9.0p1)	7.6p1	8.2p1
openssl (3.0.5)	1.1.1	1.1.1f
perl (5.36.0)	5.26.1	5.30.0
php (8.1.9)	--	--
plasma-desktop (5.25.4)	--	--
postfix (3.7.2)	--	--
postgresql (14.5)	--	--
Python (3.10.6)	3.6.7	3.8.2
qt (6.3.1)	5.9.5	5.12.8
samba (4.16.4)	4.7.6	4.13.14
systemd (251.4)	237	245.4
thunderbird (102.1.2)	60.9.0	78.14.0
vim (9.0)	8.0	8.1
vlc (3.0.17.4)	--	--
xfdesktop (4.16.0)	4.14.1	4.16.0
xorg-server (21.1.4)	1.19.6	1.20.11

A complete package list for further comparison is available.




Note; A complete package list for further comparison is available there on Distrowatch.com


Last edited by FsFOOT; 08/15/22 09:33 PM. Reason: corrections...
#4606167 - 08/17/22 07:12 AM Re: Bottles run Windows apps on Linux with ease [Re: FsFOOT]  
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 602
FsFOOT Offline
Member
FsFOOT  Offline
Member

Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 602
Well I tried it as above and after an hour finally got a short EAW flight before it bugged out on me. It was buggy. In game erratic mixup of joystick, mouse and panning wildly. Also my Mint desktop taskbar started buggyness - flickering, maybe due to my settings or unofficial Synaptic hack.

Anyway I learned a few things that will save some aggravations:

1. The default botttles Game, etc. are set for 64-Bit programs
.
But in the case of old games like EAW they are all 32-bit so you have to dig to change that setting. First set to Windows XP or Windows 98 (e. the era of the game, then 32-bit option to select should show up. Then check for d3d9x, directplay, directsound, make sure its all set or otherwise download it.

2. Bottles seems a fine program potentially for the advanced and maybe more modern games user on Linux, Or for individual non-game tools, program use, etc. Or to use Proton, Steam etc.
But its not for me.

My hopes were it would make it easier for the use of EAW. But considering the hoops I hade to jump through on older Linux versions Add a PPA to get a Flatpak - more or less defeats the purpose of Flatpak.. lol update, then Bottles and then rebooting, fiddling by hand with Bottles...

I think it is much easier to install Wine, (in Mint/ Ubuntu comes with winetricks, bundled from Software Repo installs in one click) and just skip Bottles altogether.

and for sandbox can simply run Wine in Firejail , which have installed and always use for my Browser, etc. anyway



Last edited by FsFOOT; 08/17/22 07:19 AM. Reason: lol
#4607249 - 08/30/22 11:04 PM Re: Bottles run Windows apps on Linux with ease [Re: FsFOOT]  
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 602
FsFOOT Offline
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FsFOOT  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 602
I have to amend above actually I have a Bottle that is set for 64-Bit and got it working with EAW partially - see the other thread I will post in the EAW forum or my site weblog.

#4607251 - 08/30/22 11:28 PM Re: Bottles run Windows apps on Linux with ease [Re: FsFOOT]  
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 602
FsFOOT Offline
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FsFOOT  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 602
Here's the config (.yml) for bottles if anyone wants to use it. You can import to a bottle to replicate:

backup_eaw3.yml

Code
Arch: win64
Creation_Date: '2022-08-16 00:51:15.688460'
Custom_Path: false
DLL_Overrides: {}
DXVK: dxvk-1.10.3
Environment: Gaming
Environment_Variables: {}
External_Programs:
    ef6dc9e8-1855-4372-97a1-414dd6aa08cf:
        executable: eaw.exe
        id: ef6dc9e8-1855-4372-97a1-414dd6aa08cf
        name: eaw
        path: /home/piki/Downloads/eaw1.28efullversiontest/eaw.exe
Installed_Dependencies:
- d3dx9
- msls31
- arial32
- times32
- courie32
- d3dcompiler_43
- d3dcompiler_47
Language: sys
LatencyFleX: latencyflex-v0.1.0
Latest_Executables: []
NVAPI: dxvk-nvapi-v0.5.4
Name: eaw3
Parameters:
    custom_dpi: 96
    discrete_gpu: true
    dxvk: false
    dxvk_nvapi: false
    fixme_logs: false
    fsr: false
    fsr_level: 5
    fullscreen_capture: false
    gamemode: false
    gamescope: false
    gamescope_borderless: false
    gamescope_fps: 0
    gamescope_fps_no_focus: 0
    gamescope_fullscreen: true
    gamescope_game_height: 0
    gamescope_game_width: 0
    gamescope_scaling: false
    gamescope_window_height: 0
    gamescope_window_width: 0
    latencyflex: false
    mangohud: false
    mouse_warp: true
    obsvkc: false
    pulseaudio_latency: true
    renderer: gl
    sandbox: false
    sync: esync
    take_focus: false
    use_be_runtime: true
    use_eac_runtime: true
    use_runtime: false
    use_steam_runtime: false
    versioning_automatic: false
    versioning_compression: false
    versioning_exclusion_patterns: false
    virtual_desktop: false
    virtual_desktop_res: 1280x720
    vkbasalt: false
    vkd3d: false
    vmtouch: false
    vmtouch_cache_cwd: false
Path: eaw3
Runner: caffe-7.7
Sandbox:
    share_net: true
    share_sound: true
State: 0
Uninstallers: {}
Update_Date: '2022-08-16 00:56:56.701699'
VKD3D: vkd3d-proton-2.6-1-5b73139
Versioning: false
Versioning_Exclusion_Patterns: []
Windows: winxp
WorkingDir: ''


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