Zorin OS Windows App Support: Can You Run Windows Apps on Zorin?

One of the biggest fears people have before switching from Windows to Linux is:
“Will my favorite Windows apps still work?”

That’s where Zorin OS truly shines.

It was designed specifically for users who are transitioning from Windows.
So, the developers made sure that you can run many Windows applications easily, without using complex commands or virtual machines.

The feature that makes this possible is called “Zorin OS Windows App Support.”

What Is Zorin OS Windows App Support?

Zorin OS Windows App Support is a compatibility layer built into Zorin OS.
It’s powered by Wine (Wine Is Not an Emulator) an open-source tool that allows Windows apps to run on Linux systems.

In simple terms:

Instead of emulating Windows, Wine translates Windows system calls into Linux instructions in real time.

That means you can double-click a .exe or .msi file (just like in Windows) and it will install or run directly inside Zorin OS.

How to Enable Windows App Support in Zorin OS

If you installed Zorin OS Core or Pro, Windows App Support might already be pre-installed.
If not, you can easily enable it:

Step-by-Step Setup:

1. Open Software Center
   Click the Zorin menu → search for “Software” → open Zorin Software Center.
2. Search for “Windows App Support”
   Type “Windows App Support” or “Wine” in the search bar.
3. Install the Package
   Click Install and wait for the setup to complete.
4. That’s it!
   Now Zorin OS can automatically detect and open .exe files.

Once installed, you’ll see a Windows App Support option in your app list.

3. Running Windows Applications on Zorin OS

After setting it up, you can install Windows apps easily.

Here’s how:

1. Download a .exe or .msi installer (like ChromeSetup.exe, MS Office setup, etc.).
2. Right-click the file → Open With Windows App Support.
3. The Wine installer will open and guide you through the installation.
4. Once done, the app will appear in your Zorin menu under Windows Apps or Other.

You can now launch it just like a regular Linux app.

What Kind of Windows Apps Work on Zorin OS?

Zorin OS can run a wide variety of Windows applications, especially older or non-heavy software.

Here are some examples that work well:

✅ Office & Productivity

• Microsoft Office (2010, 2013, 2016 versions work best)
• Notepad++
• Foxit Reader
• WinRAR or 7-Zip

🎨 Design & Editing

• Adobe Photoshop (CS6 and older versions work smoothly)
• Paint.NET
• GIMP (native alternative already available on Linux)

🎮 Games

• Many Windows games run via Wine, Steam (Proton), or Lutris.
• Popular titles like CS:GO, GTA V, and The Witcher 3 can work depending on configuration.

🧰 Utilities

• FileZilla (though native version exists)
• PuTTY
• IrfanView

Note: Not every Windows app works perfectly — performance depends on how well Wine supports that specific program.

Using PlayOnLinux or Bottles for Easier Management

If you plan to install multiple Windows applications, managing them manually with Wine can get tricky.
That’s where PlayOnLinux or Bottles comes in handy.

PlayOnLinux

• A graphical frontend for Wine.
• Lets you install, configure, and manage each Windows app separately.
• Supports multiple Wine versions and profiles.

You can install it from Zorin Software Center:

sudo apt install playonlinux

Bottles

• A modern Wine manager with a clean UI.
• Automatically handles dependencies and settings for each app.
• Great for gaming and newer software.

Both tools make Windows app installation as simple as choosing a program and clicking “Install”.

Running Windows Games on Zorin OS

If gaming is your goal, Zorin OS makes it easy thanks to Steam’s Proton and Lutris.

• Steam Proton: Lets you play most Windows-only Steam games natively on Linux.
• Lutris: Helps you install and manage non-Steam or Epic games easily using Wine.

Steps for Steam Games:

1. Install Steam from Zorin Software Center.
2. Go to Steam → Settings → Compatibility → Enable “Proton for all titles.”
3. Restart Steam and launch any Windows game.

You’ll be surprised how many popular Windows titles now run smoothly on Linux with Proton.

Troubleshooting Tips

If a Windows app doesn’t work right away, here’s what you can do:

• Try running the Wine Configuration Tool (winecfg) and adjust Windows version (e.g., switch from Windows 7 to 10).
• Reinstall Windows App Support from Software Center.
• Install missing dependencies (like .NET Framework or Visual C++ Redistributable) through Winetricks.
• For games, use ProtonDB to check compatibility and recommended tweaks.

Zorin’s community forums are also very active — you’ll find guides for most apps there.

Best Native Alternatives to Windows Apps on Zorin OS

Even though Zorin OS supports Windows applications, it’s worth exploring Linux-native software too — they often perform better.

Using native Linux apps reduces bugs, improves performance, and saves disk space.

Performance and Limitations

While Zorin OS Windows App Support works great for most productivity tools, some new or complex apps may have issues.
This happens because Wine doesn’t fully replicate all Windows APIs (especially newer DirectX versions or heavy system integrations).

So, if your workflow depends on high-end software like Adobe Premiere Pro, AutoCAD, or MS Access — it may not run perfectly.

For light to medium use, though — Zorin handles it all impressively.

Final Verdict

If you’re switching from Windows and worried about compatibility, Zorin OS makes the transition easy.

It bridges the gap perfectly:

You get the speed, security, and flexibility of Linux — without losing access to your favorite Windows software.

With Zorin OS Windows App Support, you can open .exe files, run Office apps, and even play games — all from one sleek interface.
It’s not perfect, but for most users, it’s more than enough to replace Windows comfortably.