Running Windows programs on the Mac via Wineskin

When the desired application is only available for Windows-based machines, before makovodov question arises: how to run this program on a Mac? Ironically, but for many utilities and not even a very old game the best option - Wineskin free emulator. Without going into technical details, let us consider how to use it to run on a Mac some the Windows-program.

Wineskin installation and tracking updates

Although Wine - open-sorsny project that has its roots in the Linux-system of its Mac version is quite convenient to use and allows you to easily and quickly ported to OS X too many programs (though not all).

From the official site Wineskin download Wineskin Winery app - is the manager of porting Windows-based programs under OS X. Unpack the downloaded archive, move it to a folder Program (Applications) and run.

The main window always pay attention to the inscription New Engine (s) available! ( "Available new engines!"), And on whether to click a button available Update( "Update") in the group Wrapper Version

( "Version shell"). Be sure to press the button to download the latest fixes and additions. Under the list of installed engines (Installed Engines), Which by default is empty, press the + button. In the new window is the new engine will be selected immediately, download and install that you can click on the button Download and Install.

After that, a list of the engines will not be empty: it indicates the newly installed engine. And now you can create a template for the desired porting Windows-program.

Creating an empty shell

Only in the presence of at least one engine mounted mainly Wineskin Winery window button will become available Create New Blank Wrapper ( "Create an empty shell"). Click it.

Enter the name of the program, click on the button OK and wait Wineskin create a new application to display a window in which to press the button View wrapper in Finder ( "See through the skin Finder») - opens a window "Finder" with a folder~ / Applications / Wineskin, Which will be just you created an application wrapper.

Placing Windows-program within the shell Wineskin

Run the program created by holding down optionThus you open the Installation Manager and configure the required Windows-based applications internally Wineskin shell.

In the main window, click Utilities Install software ( "Install application"), and now you have basically two options: run the installer (and pass the standard for Windows-based software installation procedure) or place inside the shell, on a virtual drive C:, an application that does not require installation.

For example, take fractals editor Apophysis. The downloaded EXE-file just does not need to be installed - a ready-to-use program. Place it inside the new folder and return to Wineskin window by clicking it or click Copy a Folder Inside( "Copy the folder inside") or button Move a Folder Inside ( "Move folder inside"). The difference between these buttons is obvious - I would choose the second option, not to be left in the Downloads folder OS X is nothing superfluous.

After that Wineskin prompts you to select which executable should be open when the shell starts. It is clear that this is the only "executable", which has just been moved inside the shell. Confirm your selection, you will return to the main settings Wineskin Manager window. press the button Quit ( "Exit"), and in the Finder window, return back to the folder, which is located in a new shell program.

Now double-click it to start this particular shell - after a few moments you will see "vindovyh" Apophysis interface editor, ready to work.

Configuring Windows-based applications within the shell Wineskin

Finally it is worth to say about the key Advanced in the main window Wineskin settings manager. The average user may need it to bind to a port of the program some icons (in the lower right corner of the tabConfiguration). Advanced users also through the tabs Tools and Options can be configured as the Windows-environment parameters and applications interact with the Mac system. If you do not quite understand what was going on, there's nothing better not to touch.

Housekeeping tip: Note that with the portable applications within Wineskin shell are software components that provide emulation Windows environment. Therefore, the size of the "obmakintoshennogo" applications may differ significantly (sometimes several times) the size of the same program in the native Windows environment for her. For example, the "weight" of the Apophysis is only 1.3 MB, and it pulls the ported version of almost 380 MB. However, it is much less than a full-fledged Windows, which requires a drive on the computer more than a dozen gigabytes free for their work.