What is this?
WinBoat is a free, open-source Linux app that runs Windows applications with seamless desktop integration — each Windows app appears as a native OS-level window next to your Linux apps.
WinBoat is a free, open-source Linux app that runs Windows applications with seamless desktop integration — each Windows app appears as a native OS-level window next to your Linux apps.Is Windows actually running in a VM here, or is this a Wine-style compatibility layer?A real Windows VM: WinBoat runs Windows inside a Docker or Podman container, talks to it through its Guest Server, and uses FreeRDP with RemoteApp to composite each app as a native Linux window.
A real Windows VM: WinBoat runs Windows inside a Docker or Podman container, talks to it through its Guest Server, and uses FreeRDP with RemoteApp to composite each app as a native Linux window.Why would a desktop app need Docker — what do I actually need before it will run?Docker or Podman 4.x+ hosts the Windows VM, with Compose v2, your user in the docker group and FreeRDP 3.x with sound. Hardware: 4 GB RAM, 2 CPU threads, 32 GB disk, KVM enabled in BIOS/UEFI.
Docker or Podman 4.x+ hosts the Windows VM, with Compose v2, your user in the docker group and FreeRDP 3.x with sound. Hardware: 4 GB RAM, 2 CPU threads, 32 GB disk, KVM enabled in BIOS/UEFI.What's rough around the edges right now?It's in beta, so expect occasional hiccups and bugs and bring some troubleshooting patience. Docker Desktop is also unsupported — plain Docker or Podman only.
It's in beta, so expect occasional hiccups and bugs and bring some troubleshooting patience. Docker Desktop is also unsupported — plain Docker or Podman only.Will it run on any Linux distro?It should run on most: the AppImage is portable across distributions, .deb targets Debian-based systems, .rpm targets Fedora, and there's a Nix package from nixpkgs-unstable.
It should run on most: the AppImage is portable across distributions, .deb targets Debian-based systems, .rpm targets Fedora, and there's a Nix package from nixpkgs-unstable.Does passthrough work for USB devices and smartcards?Smartcard passthrough is supported. USB passthrough via Podman is currently unsupported, and optional iptables/nftables kernel modules can improve network performance.
Smartcard passthrough is supported. USB passthrough via Podman is currently unsupported, and optional iptables/nftables kernel modules can improve network performance.How is it related to WinApps, Cassowary and dockur/windows?WinApps and Cassowary inspired the project — all three tackle running Windows apps on Linux. dockur/windows goes further: it's not just inspiration, it's the image that actually runs Windows inside WinBoat.
WinApps and Cassowary inspired the project — all three tackle running Windows apps on Linux. dockur/windows goes further: it's not just inspiration, it's the image that actually runs Windows inside WinBoat.Which Windows apps can I run with it?Per the project: if it runs on Windows, it can run on WinBoat — apps show up as native OS-level windows in your Linux environment.
Per the project: if it runs on Windows, it can run on WinBoat — apps show up as native OS-level windows in your Linux environment.Do Windows apps get sound on Linux?Yes, audio is supported — the prerequisite is FreeRDP 3.x built with sound support included, so make sure your FreeRDP install has it.
Yes, audio is supported — the prerequisite is FreeRDP 3.x built with sound support included, so make sure your FreeRDP install has it.What are similar projects?windows, electerm, macos, etcher, stemkit, GoLiveBypass, ytDownloader, winapps
windows, electerm, macos, etcher, stemkit, GoLiveBypass, ytDownloader, winappsWhich topics is it in?rdp, kvm, appimage, remote-desktop, linux-app, virtual-machine, electron-app, virtualization, bun, windows-app, electron, vue
rdp, kvm, appimage, remote-desktop, linux-app, virtual-machine, electron-app, virtualization, bun, windows-app, electron, vue