How to Install Wine 9.0 on openSUSE Leap 15.5

Quick Insight

Wine 9.0 lets you run Windows apps on openSUSE Leap 15.5 with no virtual machine. You add the Emulators repo, import its key, and refresh the package list with zypper. Then, a single zypper install command pulls the full Wine bundle and its 32-bit libs. You tweak the settings with winecfg and launch any exe right from the terminal. This setup keeps your work inside one Linux space while skipping dual boot. So, you gain a fast bridge for legacy Windows tools on a stable RPM-based host.

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In this guide, I will tell you how to install Wine software on openSUSE Leap 15 for Windows programs. First of all, Wine is one of the leading programs. WineHQ is behind its popularity.

Also, Wine allows you to run old or new EXE files. So, you do not need a virtual machine or dual boot. Now, let’s see the process of downloading and installing WineHQ on your SUSE Linux system!

Installing Wine on openSUSE PC

How to Use Wine 9.0 to Run Windows Program or Game on openSUSE Leap 15.5

The most common way to run Windows programs on Linux-based systems is Wine. In addition, you can use Windows programs or games on Linux with this software. However, this software is an effective solution for ensuring Windows compatibility. In other words, you can work with this software without any problems on both systems.

If you haven’t installed the system yet, don’t worry. Installing openSUSE Leap 15 is a really simple process. You can follow the step-by-step instructions using a bootable USB drive. Once that’s done, we can easily move on to our main topic: installing Wine.

After installing WineHQ 32-bit and 64-bit versions on your SUSE computer, you can run EXE programs. Plus, this method is valid for old and new programs.

As a result, you do not need to install Windows with a virtual machine or dual boot method. In other words, you can quickly run your Windows applications on Linux with it.

At this point, you can use both 32-bit and 64-bit applications on your computer with WineHQ. In addition, WineHQ helps you continue your work without interruption.

Before you start the setup, you might wonder what this version brings. Wine’s new stable version offers many better compatibility fixes. Speed gains are most clear in games. In simple words, this update has made the Windows feel on Linux much better.

How to Download and Install Wine

According to your openSUSE version, you should add the correct repository address for WineHQ. Also, with this step, you can install the latest version of WineHQ. So, you can easily download the updated software and install it on your PC without any problems.

Step 1

Open the terminal on your desktop location on your SUSE system. Then, type the command “wget https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/Emulators:/Wine/15.5/repodata/repomd.xml.key” to identify the repo source. Finally, make sure you execute the command correctly.

wget https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/Emulators:/Wine/15.5/repodata/repomd.xml.key
sudo rpm --import repomd.xml.key
sudo zypper addrepo https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/Emulators:/Wine/15.5/Emulators:Wine.repo

Adding the Wine Repository Address

Step 2

You have defined the source of the SUSE Emulators repository. Now, in the same way, run the “sudo zypper refresh” command in the terminal to update your system’s software list. Don’t forget to confirm that you trust the subkey you added afterward.

sudo zypper refresh

Updating the openSUSE Repository List

Step 3

You have prepared your SUSE system for WineHQ. Then, execute the command “sudo zypper install wine” to start the installation process. However, press Y to confirm the packages to be installed on your PC. Then, press Enter to install additional components.

sudo zypper install wine

The process is specific to openSUSE. But what if you use a different distribution? For example, the steps for setting up Wine on Linux Mint take a slightly different route. Based on my experience, I can say that the package manager commands are fully different. Still, the logic works on the same ideas.

Installing Wine

Step 4

As soon as you install this application, use the “winecfg” command. This command will open the program’s settings. In this way, you can adjust the settings and enhance your WineHQ experience.

winecfg

Opening WineHQ Settings

Step 5

Once the Configuration window opens, you can set the graphics options. You can also set the system version and library settings. Finally, check the installed version in the About section.

Checking the Wine Version

How to Install Windows Software

After installing Wine on your openSUSE PC, you can test the software. First, download the Windows software you want to run. Then, you can install it on your system and start using it without any problems.

Step 1

A popular note application for Windows is EditPad Lite. If you want to install it on your Linux PC, you can do so easily. First, use the following command: wget https://download.jgsoft.com/editpad/SetupEditPadLite.exe. This command will download the setup (EXE) file to the terminal. Then, you can start and complete its installation.

You can use the “wine SetupEditPadLite.exe” command in the terminal to install the EXE program you downloaded.

wget https://download.jgsoft.com/editpad/SetupEditPadLite.exe
wine SetupEditPadLite.exe

EditPadLite Download

Step 2

When the EditPad Lite installation wizard starts, click “Install Now.” This option will perform a quick installation. It will also save you time and effort.

EditPad Lite Setup Wizard

Step 3

When you have completed the installation, click on the Thanks button. After this step, you can close the wizard and return to your desktop.

Closing the Note Program's Setup Wizard

Step 4

You can check the version when the EditPad Lite app opens. Click “Help” from the tool menu and then “About”. You can also start taking notes for your work.

Checking Just Great Software EditPad Lite Version

Step 5

If you want to run the Notes app later, use the following command: In Terminal, type wine “C:\Program Files\Just Great Software\EditPad Lite 8\EditPadLite8.exe.” Plus, this will give you quick access to EditPad Lite again.

wine "C:\Program Files\Just Great Software\EditPad Lite 8\EditPadLite8.exe"

Rerunning the Program with Wine

How to Uninstall Wine from openSUSE PC

If you no longer want to use Windows apps & games, you can uninstall WineHQ. First of all, you can altogether remove all related packages from your SUSE computer. This will clean up unnecessary files on your system.

Step 1

To remove all related packages altogether, you need to use a few commands. First, type sudo zypper remove wine* in the terminal. Check the packages you want to remove before confirming, and then confirm the operation with “Y.”

sudo zypper remove wine*

Completely Uninstalling WineHQ from the System

Step 2

You have removed it from your SUSE PC. But to verify, use the command sudo zypper info wine in the console. This command will check if WineHQ is still installed. In addition, you will get relevant information about the package.

sudo zypper info wine

Checking Program Status with Zypper

If you use a different system for security testing instead of openSUSE, the process stays the same. Setting up Wine on a Kali Linux system also uses a similar terminal process. The key point is that the basic rules always stay the same. Only the repo addresses and a few dependencies change.

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Installing Old Versions

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FAQ About Wine for openSUSE Leap

Is installing Wine on openSUSE Leap really so easy that it finishes in 5 steps?

My friend, most people make a big deal out of running Windows programs on Linux. But the truth is much simpler than you think. Opening the terminal and typing a few commands is enough. First you will introduce the repo to the system. Then you will import the key. Finally you need to update with zypper refresh.
When this preparation stage is done, it is enough to type sudo zypper install wine and press Enter. You will confirm by saying ‘Y’ when the system asks you about dependencies. Do not look for an icon on the desktop when the job is done.
Do not forget, this layer software does not come as a graphical interface. You test that the setup was successful with the winecfg command. You can take a deep breath when this command opens the settings window for you. So, you have now put an end to the virtual machine trouble.

I got stuck while adding the WineHQ repo to the system. What should I do if I get a ‘repomd.xml.key’ error?

The problem usually comes from the wget command not being able to pull the file. First, check your internet connection. Then close the terminal and open it again.
Try copy-pasting instead of typing the command by hand. Sometimes space characters mess things up. Even if the repo address is correct, you should check your openSUSE version number. If you use a different version instead of Leap 15.5, the address will not work.
If the error keeps going, try the manual method. First, download the repomd.xml.key file from your browser. Then add the key by hand with sudo rpm –import /file/path/repomd.xml.key. This method lets you bypass network problems. You will see everything fall into place when you do zypper refresh. The error message will disappear.

Do I need to make a special setting to run 32-bit and 64-bit Windows programs at the same time?

Honestly, this question excites me. Because many people think this compatibility tool is only for old software. This is a wrong perception. The moment you do the setup, you have both 32-bit and 64-bit support at the same time. There is no separate package. There is no separate setup.
When you type winecfg in the terminal, you see the Windows Version section in the window that appears. Here you can imitate an old XP setup if you want. Or you can use a modern Windows 10 profile. The system automatically recognizes the needed architecture.
The only point you need to watch is how you start the program. If you right-click an EXE file and say ‘Open with Wine’, everything sorts itself out. The same goes when you give the wine setup.exe command from the terminal. Thanks to this flexibility, you can install your old games and new office tools with peace of mind.

Can I open the Windows program I installed from the desktop with an icon, as in the EditPad Lite example?

Of course you can. But you may need to be a bit clever. When installing the program, this layer software usually creates Start Menu folders. But these folders are not automatically moved to the Linux desktop. Still, you have no need to be scared at all. Let me explain the solution in two minutes.
After the program is installed, type this command in the terminal: wine ‘C:\Program Files\…\program.exe’. Do not forget the quote marks when doing this. If the command works, adding a shortcut to the desktop is very easy.
Right-click an empty space on the desktop and find the ‘Create Launcher’ option. Give a name in the window that opens. Paste the exact same command you just ran into the command line. If you want, also point to the icon file in the program’s folder. The moment you press Save, a clickable icon will appear in front of you. In the end, you will be free from the trouble of opening the terminal every time.

How is game performance with Wine 9.0? Can I play Counter Strike 2 or old games?

The game topic is a sensitive matter, my friend. You must set your expectations right. If you think of this tool for office programs or small tools, you will be happy. It also works wonders with old games that have low system needs. But expecting it to run the newest DirectX 12 games without problems will bring disappointment.
This structure is a layer that translates Windows APIs to Linux. During this translation, a small performance loss happens. This loss is not felt in office tools but returns as FPS drops in heavy graphics games. Still, thousands of games run at Gold or Platinum level.
My humble advice is this: Take a look at WineHQ’s official application database. Search for the name of the game you want to play there. The comments and tips from users will enlighten you. If your work is mostly games, you should also give Lutris or Steam Proton a chance.

I changed my mind about trying it. How do I completely remove Wine from my openSUSE system?

It is very natural that you want to leave this compatibility tool. Maybe your job is done, maybe you want to keep your system simple. The removal job is even easier than the setup. It is enough to type the right command without rushing. Open the terminal and type sudo zypper remove wine*.
This command will show you a huge list of things to be removed. This list also includes the dependencies that came with Wine. Do not panic. The moment you press ‘Y’ and Enter, the cleanup starts. When the job is done, your system returns to its old state.
Still, it is good to be skeptical. Confirm that the job was successful with the sudo zypper info wine command. If the system says ‘Package not found’, it means you completed the mission successfully.
But do not forget, this job only deletes the system tools. The folders of Windows programs may stay in your home directory. You need to delete them by hand. This way not a single trace stays on your disk.

Conclusion

Obviously, you can quickly run your Windows programs on your openSUSE PC with Wine. Plus, you don’t need a VM or dual-boot system. By following the installation and usage stages, you can integrate Windows software into your Linux environment.

Moreover, you can quickly remove this software from your OS when you don’t want to use it. In short, you can increase your productivity and accessibility through this middleware app.

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Tolga Bagci

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Hi, I'm Tolga, a computer expert with 20 years of experience. I help fix computer issues with things like hardware, systems, networks, virtualization, servers, and operating systems. Check out my website for helpful info, and feel free to ask me anything. Keep yourself in the loop about the newest technologies!

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1 Reader Comment

  1. Hi,
    Thank you for posting this tutorial.

    I am attempting to install Wine on OpenSuSe Leap 15.1, so here I deviate a bit from your tutorial. In consequence I changed the repository to: …/openSUSE_Leap_15.1/…
    After refresh and install, I get the following error:
    Problem: nothing provides wine-32bit = 5.11 needed by wine-5.11-lp150.1177.1.x86_64
    Solution 1: do not install wine-5.11-lp150.1177.1.x86_64
    Solution 2: break wine-5.11-lp150.1177.1.x86_64 by ignoring some of its dependencies

    I do not like any of the options. Do you have any thoughts on how to install it properly?

    Looking forward for your answer.
    Best regards,
    Sebastian

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