A Wine prefix (AKA a Wine bottle) is a particular folder during which Wine locations all Wine-specific recordsdata, put in Home windows applications, libraries and registry code, and even consumer preferences in.
Normally, a consumer solely has one Wine prefix. This prefix is the ~/.wine folder. Sometimes, it’s set to run in Home windows XP mode (or later variations of Home windows as nicely), and sometimes Linux customers don’t ever tinker with this folder or modify it in any approach, due to the maturity and reliability of the Wine software.
Although the typical Linux consumer can get by with simply utilizing the default Wine prefix, it’s extremely useful to make a number of ones, as they are often tuned to run particular variations of Home windows, home several types of software program that doesn’t work within the default prefix folder, and so on.
Notice: following this information requires Wine. Earlier than persevering with, observe our tutorial on how to set up the Wine software program on Linux.
Create 32-bit Wine prefix
For some Home windows applications to work accurately in Wine, a 32-bit prefix is important. Sadly, the default Wine system doesn’t set this up by default when the consumer runs Wine for the primary time.
Making a new 32-bit Wine prefix begins by launching a terminal window by urgent Ctrl + Alt + T or Ctrl + Shift + T. Then, use the WINEPREFIX command within the terminal window, adopted by the placement the place you’d like to retailer the new prefix.
Notice: ensure to change the username within the command under along with your Linux PC’s username.
Winearch=win32 WINEPREFIX="/home/username/.newprefix32/" winecfg
Because the above command runs, it’ll create a new folder in your present consumer’s residence folder (~) labeled “.newprefix32.” In case you dislike this title, be at liberty to change the title of the listing earlier than working it.
When the WINEPREFIX command finishes executing, you might even see a number of GUI prompts seem. In these prompts, you’ll be requested to set up issues for the software program to run. Observe the GUI prompts and guarantee all the things is put in.
After taking good care of the instruments Wine wants to set up, the WineCFG software will open. Use this software to customise your new Wine prefix and set issues such because the Home windows model, graphics, and so on.
Create 64-bit Wine prefix
By default, if you run the Wine software program (on a 64-bit Linux working system) for the primary time, it’ll create a normal 64-bit Wine prefix in ~/.wine in residence listing (~).
Normally, utilizing the default 64-bit ~/.wine prefix folder is okay for many customers. Nevertheless, when you’re working specialised software program that requires a variety of tweaks, it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to find out how to create separate 64-bit Wine prefixes.
To make a new 64-bit Wine prefix, launch a terminal window and use the WINEPREFIX command like within the 32-bit instance. Nevertheless, this time, don’t use Winearch, because it’s not essential to arrange this one.
Notice: ensure to change the username within the command under to the username on your Linux PC.
WINEPREFIX="/home/username/.newprefix/" winecfg
Within the above command instance, we set the new 64-bit Wine prefix in a folder labeled “newprefix.” This title is only for demonstration functions. In case you dislike this title, be at liberty to swap it out with one other title that extra fits your use-case.
After getting into the WINEPREFIX command above, the Wine software will arrange a new prefix folder within the residence listing (~) of your present consumer. Throughout that creation course of, you might even see some GUI home windows pop up. Observe the GUI prompts and do what they are saying to be sure that all the things is about up accurately.
As soon as the GUI prompts are handled, the WineCFG window will seem. Use this window to configure your new 64-bit Wine prefix, change Home windows variations, graphics settings, and so on.
Delete Wine prefixes
Achieved utilizing a Wine prefix and wish to eliminate it? Right here’s what to do. First, open up a terminal window by urgent Ctrl + Alt + T or Ctrl + Shift + T. Then, use the ls command with the “a” command-line swap to reveal all the recordsdata and folders in your house listing.
ls -a
Look by the record of recordsdata for the title of your Wine prefix folder. Then, use the rm command with the “rf” command-line swap to delete the prefix folder.
rm -rf ~/.newprefix/
Or:
rm -rf ~/.newprefix32/
Want to eliminate a number of prefix folders directly? Make use of brackets when utilizing the rm command. For instance, to delete two prefix folders, you’d do:
rm -rf ~/{.newprefix,.newprefix32}
For 4 folders, strive:
rm -rf ~/{.newprefix1,.newprefix2,.newprefix3,newprefix4}
There’s no restrict to what number of prefixes could be eliminated directly with the rm command, record out the folder names in brackets adopted by “,” and it’ll work.
