Run Windows apps on Linux Mint with PlayOnLinux

PlayOnLinux is an excellent program that makes installing Windows video games and Windows programs easy on Linux. In this guide, we’ll show you how you can install Windows apps on Linux Mint with it.

Installing PlayOnLinux – GUI

Follow the step-by-step instructions below to install PlayOnLinux in Linux Mint via the GUI.

Step 1: Press the Win key on the keyboard to open up the Cinnamon search menu. Or, click on the Linux Mint icon and open the menu. Once it is open, type in “Software Manager” and open the Software Manager app.

Step 2: Once the app is open, it will generate a cache. Allow it to create the cache. This process could take a couple of minutes. When the process is complete, find the search box in the top right-hand corner and click on it with the mouse.

Step 3: Type “PlayOnLinux” into the search box and press the Enter key. You’ll then see search results. Look through the results for “PlayOnLinux,” and select it with the mouse.

Step 4: Upon selecting “PlayOnLinux” in the search results, you’ll see the app’s Mint store entry. From here, locate the “Install” button, and click on it with the mouse.

Step 5: When you select the “Install” button with the mouse, a pop-up window may appear, letting you know there is “Additional software” that “has to be upgraded.” Click the “Continue” button, and enter your password.

Step 6: Once you enter your password, Linux Mint will download and install the software to your computer. Keep in mind that the PlayOnLinux installation process may take some time to complete, depending on your internet speed.

When the installation is complete, you’ll be able to launch “PlayOnLinux” from the Mint Menu on your Linux Mint PC.

Installing PlayOnLinux – CLI

If you prefer to use the terminal to install PlayOnLinux on your Linux Mint system, follow the step-by-step instructions below.

Step 1: Open up a terminal window on the Linux Mint desktop. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T on the keyboard. Or by searching for “Terminal” in the app menu.

Step 2: Once the terminal window is open, use the apt install command to set up the “playonlinux” package.

sudo apt install playonlinux

Step 3: When you enter the command in Step 2, Linux Mint will ask you to enter a password. Using the keyboard, enter your password.

Step 4: After entering your password, Linux Mint will ask you to press the Y key to confirm that you wish to install PlayOnLinux on your Linux Mint PC. Press Y to confirm.

How to Install PlayOnLinux to Run Windows Programs on Linux Mint

Once PlayOnLinux is installed on your Linux Mint PC, follow the step-by-step instructions below to install Windows programs on Mint.

Step 1: Open up the PlayOnLinux application. You can open the app by searching for “PlayOnLinux” in the Mint app menu.

Step 2: Once PlayOnLinux is open, find the “Install” button, and click on it with the mouse.

Step 3: Upon selecting the “Install” button, PlayOnLinux will scan for programs that users can install. This process will take a bit of time, so sit back and be patient.

Step 4: When the scanning process is complete, find the search box, and click on it. Then, type in the name of the Windows program you wish to install. For example, to install Notepad++, type “Notepad Plus Plus.”

Step 5: After making a selection in PlayOnLinux, find the “Install” button, and click on it with the mouse. A pop-up window will appear when you select the “Install” button. This pop-up window is the PlayOnLinux Wizard.

Read what the PlayOnLinux Wizard says. Then, after you’ve read it, find the “Next” button to move to the next page.

Step 6: After reading the start message, another pop-up window will appear. This is the installation wizard for the app you wish to install. In this guide, we’re installing Notepad++.

Read the wizard’s message, then, when done, click on the “Next” button to move to the next page.

Step 7: On the next page in the program installer, PlayOnLinux will create a virtual drive to install the software. Be patient and allow the app set up the drive. When it is done, click “Next.”