How to Open an .EXE File Using Wine Chromebook – Developer Mode

When we talk about .EXE files we refer to applications, for example, that can be run only on Windows operating systems. So, it is impossible to directly download and run a file of this type on computers with an operating system outside of Windows, such as MacOS or Chrome OS.

However, although it cannot be done directly, it is possible to do it on a computer with a system other than Windows, and in this case we will show it to you on a Chromebook. In this regard we will explain how to open an .EXE file using Wine Chromebook and how this program is installed on your laptop.

Is using Wine really your best option to open .EXE files?

The answer is clearly very simple and positive for this question; many people consider that Wine It is the best option we have to open .EXE files on Chrome OS computers.

We say this because, according to its own developers, Wine is a program that gives the necessary compatibility to use Windows applications or open files on other systems. Until now, and since its creation in 1993, Wine is the most recommended option for doing this type of work without having to change systems.

This is the way to correctly install Wine on your Chromebook

You should know that this process, for many who are not used to or do not know about these installation issues, turns out to be a bit tedious or long. However, here we will give you all the details that you must take into account in order to install the program.

First of all, go to the ‘Home’ of your Chromebook to access ‘Settings’, and then confirm that the terminal is activated from the ‘Linux’ section. That is to be able to search, among the applications, we will see the option of the terminal in which you must enter to begin the installation process.

There in the terminal, put the 32-bit architecture using sudo ‘dpkg – add-architecture i386’ to add it to the system. It is necessary at this point that download the key that Wine provides for its installation by placing the link in the terminal, and adding ‘sudo apt-key add winehq.key’ to the same system.

To save what you have in advance of the process, combine ‘Ctrl + O’; and now I know put the key that Ubuntu needs ‘sudo apt-key adv – keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com – recv-keys DFA175A75104960E’. In this step you can update the system by placing in the terminal ‘sudo apt update’ to install Wine.

To get started with the installation coloca el comando ‘sudo apt install – install-recommends winehq-stable’ to be able to configure the program. But first, a necessary and required information for the installation will appear on the screen, which you must confirm by clicking on the ‘Install’ option.

Now, you will have the options to make a configuration from the tabs for the graphics, the units, among other main ones that you will see. In this point you can now download the file to run and to save among the others, copying and pasting it in ‘Linux Files’.

To finish the installation, you must copy the file ‘wine file.exe’ to the terminal and press ‘Enter’ to start the installation wizard. You finish everything by making certain settings that are merited in the program and so you can start opening your .EXE files on your Chromebook.

Is it better to have Windows installed on your Chromebook when opening these types of files?

It must be taken into account that several models of Chromebooks are not compatible with the operating system provided by Windows. For that, inside the lower layer of the Chromebook, remove a screw that is protecting the motherboard of the computer, to be able to update the ROM memory system.

So, you will lose the Chrome OS system and what you have stored in it, if that does not matter to you and you have a copy of the files, do it if you want. In the event that you don’t want to risk making all those changes, then it’s best to only open the .EXE files, easily install the Wine program on your computer.