Let me tell you something. If you ever paid money for a Windows Emulator for your Mac, make a sad face and read these words very carefully. Open source is free, stable, reliable, and continuously updated. So on the topic of running Windows executables on your Mac, Darwine has been around for years and is the Mac port of the popular Wine app which has been available to *nix users for years. Download it using this easy guide and start playing your favorite Windows game in minutes.
The great thing about open source software is the large community backing it, meaning any problem you run into you can almost assure yourself someone has dealt with it and likely found a solution. If you head on over to the Darwine Google Code Page, you will find the download section with the latest releases and a wiki that will provide support if needed.
To setup Darwine browse over to the Download section and download the latest or “Featured” build. Drag the red Darwine folder to your Applications folder and you’re set. Now browse over to the Darwine folder in your Applications directory, and run WineHelper. Once WineHelper is loaded, go to Application -> Open… Browse to the .exe or whatever Windows file you may want to run, and select it. Chances are your Windows App is now running.
Keep in mind Darwine requires that you have X11 installed, if you don’t just Google “X11 Mac Download”, it’s not hard to find.
Enjoy!
42 Responses to “Run Windows Applications on a Mac”
So i can play any windows game i want ? for example Helbreath, or Runes of Magic if i want ?
most likely, yes
do i need a copy of windows to make it work?
no, but if you have a legit copy you can use the real dlls and have better compability
OMGOMGOMGOMG
THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!!!!
IT WORKSSS!!!!!!!
and its idiot-proof =3
I have Mac OS X 10.5.8 will the X11 download still work?
most definitely
If I want to run WineHelper, the icon shows up a sec and then just disapears. Why is that?
BTW: should I be able to play Metin2?
ok, Rappelz does not work at all.
I’m trying to down load a windows only game using this software and I’m getting an error message that reads: err:seh:setup_exception_record stack overflow 368 bytes in thread 0019 eip 7bc6d4d2 esp 00c811c0 stack 0xc80000-0xc81000-0xe80000. any ideas?
does that include 10.4.11 as well?
All mac versions are supported. This in no way guarantees any of your apps will work. If you are getting errors, chances are there is not much you can do to fix them.
http://appdb.winehq.org/index.php <- this website has a list of user submitted applications and compatibility reports. If you’re experiencing issues you can refer to that website and see what others are saying
I use the CrossOver but some applications dont work, now Im going to test the darwine.
Fortaleza-Brasil
im trying to install windows game but im gatting an error message : fixme:actctx:parse_depend_manifests Could not find dependent assembly L”Microsoft.VC90.CRT” (9.0.21022.8)
err:module:import_dll Library MSVCR90.dll (which is needed by L”C:\\windows\\temp\\akamaiclient\\csd.dll”) not found
fixme:actctx:parse_depend_manifests Could not find dependent assembly L”Microsoft.VC90.CRT” (9.0.21022.8)
err:module:import_dll Library MSVCR90.dll (which is needed by L”C:\\windows\\temp\\akamaiclient\\csd.dll”) not found
im able to use 3d studio max with this app??
you might but not everything may work properly, just give it a shot and see
What do I do to fix this, “Application tried to create a window, but no driver could be loaded. Make sure that your X server is running and that $DISPLAY is set correctly.”
This is what I’m getting when I try to run WineHelper. How do I fix it?
How do I uninstall a program installed with wine?
i downloaded this winehelper so wat do i do when i want to download a windows game?
read the top fool xD
Hello! I tried to download a game (Loco Online, a MMORPG) and well.. it didnt work.. some text appeared ( “Application tried to create a window, but no driver could be loaded.
Make sure that your X server is running and that $DISPLAY is set correctly.
err:systray:initialize_systray Could not create tray window
fixme:actctx:parse_depend_manifests Could not find dependent assembly L”Microsoft.VC90.CRT” (9.0.21022.8)
err:module:import_dll Library MSVCR90.dll (which is needed by L”C:\\windows\\temp\\akamaiclient\\csd.dll”) not found
Application tried to create a window, but no driver could be loaded.
Make sure that your X server is running and that $DISPLAY is set correctly.”)… what do I have to do? D:
i have guild wars at %100 and i cant get the game to start help me
im getting a null and a blank white window some one plaease help me!
I tried to download several windows games. Most didn’t download at all, and I got one to download, but it wouldn’t fully open into the game.
Online gaming games probably won’t be able to work.
Since I couldn’t get mine working, I ended up removing the program.
*But it did get me a lot further in downloading onto my mac!
do i need antivirus when i use this application or when i am playing windows games in macbook
if we’re playing windows games on a mac using this program, will viruses attack th laptop itself even if thr’s no windows os in it?
Will it run modio and le fluffie and gpd files? Things like wpe pro? Cheat engine? Mabinogi?
I think VMWare is the best!
@Johnny
VMWare requires a copy of Windows, WINE doesn’t and it’s free.
Would combat arms work?
i have guild wars at %100 and i cant get the game to start help me
I’m having the same issue as Dii but with a different game… has anyone found out how to fix this yet?
will the icon show on the desktop?
Will it work o mac 10.5.8?
every-time i try to enter wine helper nothing happens, I have X11 so I do not know please help.
Upon opening TriX, i am prompted to select a lot of options? For running Trix i know.. but i have no idea which ones to select.
Help?
So does that mean i can use any windows program on my mac with this application… i need it for a robotic design course.
please set registry key hklm\software\.netframework\installroot to point to the .net framework install location
what should i do if thats the error i get ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
i tried playing Metin2 with this programme you advised, but it didn’t work.
so how shuld i dowload the proggram because i a’want tu play metin2 on my mac