Friday, October 23, 2026Oct 23RSSby nabulinesFollow @nabu_lines
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Raven runs Windows apps on Linux, and it isn't Wine

Real MSI installs, .NET 2.0 to 4.8, DirectX, plus a snapshot before every install.

665Repos
Image from the original post by @brombinmirko on X

Mirko (@brombinmirko) shared Raven, a project for running Windows apps on Linux without the Wine approach. According to the post, it handles real MSI installs, WinSxS, .NET versions 2.0 to 4.8 and DirectX redistributables, and takes a snapshot before every install. It drew about 670 likes.

Wine, the long-standing compatibility layer, translates Windows calls so apps can run on Linux. Raven's pitch is closer fidelity to how Windows itself handles installers and shared components, with snapshots as a safety net if an install breaks something.

Why it mattersApp compatibility is one of the biggest barriers for people considering Linux. A tool that copes with messy installers and older .NET apps could make the switch easier. Check the project's page for current status and supported apps.

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