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Win4Lin

{{Short description|Discontinued Linux software}}

{{confusing|date=February 2014}}

{{Infobox software

| name = Win4Lin

| screenshot =

| caption =

| developer = Virtual Bridges, Inc.

| released = {{Start date and age|2000}}

| latest release version = 5.5

| latest release date = {{start date and age|2009|2|18}}

| operating_system = Linux

| programming_language =

| discontinued = yes

| genre = Hypervisor

| license = Proprietary

| website = {{Website defunct | 1 = http://win4lin.com/}}

}}

Win4Lin is a discontinued proprietary software application for Linux which allowed users to run a copy of Windows 9x, Windows 2000 or Windows XP applications on their Linux desktop. Win4Lin was based on Merge software, a product which changed owners several times until it was bought by TreLOS Inc.{{Cite web|title=TreLOS - Win4Lin FAQ's|url=http://trelos.com/win4lin_faqs.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000308021442/http://trelos.com/win4lin_faqs.html|archive-date=March 8, 2000|access-date=February 4, 2025|website=TreLOS}} Citing changes in the desktop virtualization industry, the software's publisher, Virtual Bridges, has discontinued Win4Lin Pro.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

Products and technology

{{expand section|Win4VDI|date=February 2014}}

In 2006, Win4Lin came in three different versions, depending on the virtualization requirements of the user.

  • Win4Lin 9x allowed the user to run a full copy of Windows 98 or Windows Me inside a virtual machine.
  • Win4Lin Home allowed users to only emulate applications.
  • Win4Lin Pro offered users the ability to install a fully virtualized Windows 2000 or Windows XP.

The Win4Lin 9x/Pro (henceforth the only technology discussed in this section) operates by running Windows applications in a virtual machine. Unlike Wine or CrossOver which are compatibility layers, virtualization-based software such as VMware or Win4Lin require users to have a Windows license in order to run applications since they must install a full copy of Windows within the virtual machine.

Unlike VMware, however, Win4Lin provides the virtual guest operating system with access to the native Linux filesystem, and allows the Linux host to access the guest's files even when the virtual machine is not running. In addition to the convenience this offers, Computerworld found in their 2002 review that Win4Lin gained significant performance over VMware by using the native Linux filesystem, but also noted that this approach (unlike VMware's) limited the installation of only one version of Windows on a Win4Lin machine.

When the Win4Lin application starts it displays a window on the Linux desktop which contains the Windows desktop environment. Users can then install or run applications as they normally would from within Windows. Win4Lin supports Linux printers, internet connections, and Windows networking, but {{as of|2000|lc=yes}}, does not support DirectX and by extension most Windows games.

They also offered Win4BSD for FreeBSD.{{cite web | url = http://www.freebsdsoftware.org/emulators/win4bsd.html |title = win4bsd FreeBSD | website = The FreeBSD Ports Archive | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170215084833/http://www.freebsdsoftware.org/emulators/win4bsd.html | archive-date = February 15, 2017 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}

History

Win4Lin was initially based on Merge software originally developed at Locus Computing Corporation, and which changed hands several times until it ended in the assets of NeTraverse, which were purchased in 2005 by Win4Lin, Inc.{{Cite web | last = O'Gara | first = Maureen | date = February 25, 2005 | title = So You Want To Run Windows 2000 and Windows XP Apps On Linux? | url = http://opensource.sys-con.com/node/48377 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170504204652/http://opensource.sys-con.com/node/48377 | archive-date = May 4, 2017 | access-date = February 4, 2025 | website = Open Source Magazine}} Later that year, they introduced Win4Lin Pro, which was based on a “tuned” version of QEMU and KQEMU, and it hosted Windows NT-versions of Windows.

In June 2006, Win4Lin released Win4Lin Virtual Desktop Server, later named Win4VDI based on the same code base. Win4VDI for Linux served Microsoft Windows desktops to thin clients from a Linux server. It was integrated into VERDE on March 9, 2009.{{Cite web | last = Curtin | first = Jim | publisher = Virtual Bridges, Inc. | title = Win4VDI becomes VERDE | date = March 9, 2009 | url = http://vbridges.com/wp/?p=152 | url-status = dead | archive-url = http://web.archive.org/web/20090803171914/http://vbridges.com/wp/?p=152 | archive-date = August 3, 2009 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}

Win4Lin, Inc. discontinued Win4Lin 9x on May 30, 2006. The Win4Lin Pro Desktop product ceased to be supported in March 2010.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

class="wikitable"

|+ Win4Lin version history

! Version !! Product line !! Release date !! Notes

Win4Lin 1.0Win4Lin 9xMarch/April 2000Initial version. Support for Windows 95 and 98 installed directly to the Linux partition, file and printer sharing.{{Cite web | publisher = TreLOS, Inc. | title = Introducing Win4Lin | url = http://www.trelos.com/trelos/Trelos/Products/Product_Information.htm | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20000510062824/http://www.trelos.com/trelos/Trelos/Products/Product_Information.htm | archive-date = May 10, 2000 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}
Win4Lin Desktop 2.0Win4Lin 9xDecember 5, 2000SMP and audio support, European editions of Windows 95 and 98 installable.{{Cite press release | publisher = NeTraverse Inc. | title = Win4Lin Desktop Version 2.0 Now Available | date = December 5, 2000 | location = Research Triangle Park, NC, USA | url = http://www.netraverse.com/company/press/press81.php | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030414003416/http://www.netraverse.com/company/press/press81.php | archive-date = April 14, 2003 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}
NeTraverse Server Standard Edition 1.0Win4Lin 9x Terminal ServerApril 17, 2001Client-server version of Win4Lin Desktop 2.0, allowing computers to use Windows applications running on a server.{{Cite press release | publisher = NeTraverse Inc. | title = NeTraverse announces the release of NeTraverse Server Standard Edition Version 1.0 | date = April 17, 2001 | location = Austin, TX, USA | url = http://www.netraverse.com/company/press/press127.php | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20010604125135/http://www.netraverse.com/company/press/press127.php | archive-date = June 4, 2001 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}
Win4Lin 3.0Win4Lin 9xMay 28, 2001Linux 2.4 and networking support, new graphical installer, built-in updater.{{Cite press release | publisher = NeTraverse Inc. | title = NeTraverse announces availability of Win4Lin 3.0 | date = May 28, 2001 | location = Austin, TX, USA | url = http://www.netraverse.com/company/press/press145.php | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030414002151/http://www.netraverse.com/company/press/press145.php | archive-date = April 14, 2003 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}
NeTraverse Server Standard Edition 1.1Win4Lin 9x Terminal ServerJuly 11, 2001Update of NeTraverse Server to Win4Lin 3.0.{{Cite press release | publisher = NeTraverse Inc. | title = NeTraverse Delivers Break-Through Thin-Client Computing Solution, Providing Alternative to MS Upgrades | date = April 17, 2001 | location = Austin, TX, USA | url = http://www.netraverse.com/company/press/press152.php | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030414001915/http://www.netraverse.com/company/press/press152.php | archive-date = April 14, 2003 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}
Win4Lin Workstation 4.0Win4Lin 9xMay 20, 2002Support for English Windows Me, Asian versions of Windows 98 SE and mouse scroll wheel.{{Cite press release | publisher = NeTraverse Inc. | title = NeTraverse Announces Win4Lin Workstation Version 4.0 | date = May 20, 2002 | location = Austin, TX, USA | url = https://www.linux.com/news/netaverse-releases-win4lin-workstation-version-4/ | via = Linux.com | access-date = February 4, 2025}}
Win4Lin Terminal Server 2.0Win4Lin 9x Terminal ServerJuly 23, 2002Update of NeTraverse Server to Win4Lin Workstation 4.0.{{Cite press release | publisher = NeTraverse Inc. | title = NeTraverse Releases Win4Lin Terminal Server 2.0 | date = July 23, 2002 | location = Austin, TX, USA | url = https://www.linux.com/news/netraverse-releases-win4lin-terminal-server-version-20/ | via = Linux.com | access-date = February 4, 2025}}
Win4Lin Workstation Edition 5.0Win4Lin 9xMay 20, 2003Support for French, Italian, German and Spanish versions of Windows Me, basic 2D DirectX applications, Winsock 2, aRts multimedia system, as well as for being a NetWare client.{{Cite press release | publisher = NeTraverse Inc. | title = Win4Lin Workstation Edition 5.0 Extends Ability to Bridge Windows Users to Linux | date = May 20, 2003 | location = Austin, TX, USA | url = https://lwn.net/Articles/33520/ | via = LWN.net | access-date = February 4, 2025}}
Win4Lin Terminal Server 2.5Win4Lin 9x Terminal ServerJuly 29, 2003Upgrade of Terminal Server to Win4Lin Workstation Edition 5.0, with improved VNC support.{{Cite press release | publisher = NeTraverse Inc. | title = NeTraverse Releases Newest Version of Win4Lin Terminal Server | date = July 29, 2003 | location = Austin, TX, USA | url = https://www.linux.com/news/linux-alternative-citrix-helps-migrate-users-windows-linux/ | via = Linux.com | access-date = February 4, 2025}}
Win4Lin Workstation Edition 5.1Win4Lin 9xDecember 11, 2003Linux 2.6 support.[https://www.linuxforen.de/forums/showthread.php?115383-Win4Lin-Update-5-1-als-Datei E-mail sent to NeTraverse Community Members on December 11, 2003]
Win4Lin Terminal Server 3.0Win4Lin 9x Terminal ServerJanuary 13, 2004Upgrade of Terminal Server to Win4Lin Workstation Edition 5.1.{{Cite press release | publisher = NeTraverse Inc. | title = NeTraverse Significantly Enhances Win4Lin Terminal Server with 3.0 Release | date = January 13, 2004 | location = Austin, TX, USA | url = https://www.linux.com/news/netraverse-significantly-enhances-win4lin-terminal/ | via = Linux.com | access-date = February 6, 2025}}
Win4Lin HomeWin4Lin 9xJanuary 29, 2005Cut-down version of Win4Lin 9x 5.1. Discontinued on January 26, 2006.{{Cite press release | publisher = NeTraverse Inc. | title = Win4Lin offers new support for Windows 9X products | date = July 23, 2002 | location = Austin, TX, USA | url = https://www.linux.com/news/win4lin-offers-new-support-windows-9x-products/ | via = Linux.com | access-date = February 4, 2025}}
Win4Lin Pro 1.0Win4Lin ProFebruary 23, 2005QEMU-based solution. Supports Windows 2000 and experimentally XP. No kernel module required.
Win4Lin Pro 1.1Win4Lin ProMay 2, 2005Full support for Windows XP, full integration between Linux and Windows filesystems.{{Cite press release | publisher = Win4Lin, Inc. | title = Win4Lin Pro™ Updated for Full Windows XP Support and Blazing Fast Performance | date = May 2, 2005 | location = Austin, TX, USA | url = https://lwn.net/Articles/134319/ | via = LWN.net | access-date = February 4, 2025}}
Win4Lin Pro 2.0Win4Lin ProSeptember 1, 2005Performance improvements, including 16-bit code, support for AMD64 CPUs.{{Cite press release | publisher = Win4Lin, Inc. | title = Win4Lin Introduces Major Upgrade to Flagship Product | date = September 1, 2005 | location = Austin, TX, USA | url = http://www.win4lin.com/content/view/190/202/ | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060317044320/http://www.win4lin.com/content/view/190/202/ | archive-date = March 17, 2006 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}
Win4Lin Pro Desktop 2.6Win4Lin ProFebruary 28, 2006Sound support, execution and networking performance improvements.{{Cite press release | publisher = Win4Lin, Inc. | title = Win4Lin Introduces Major Upgrade to Flagship Product | date = February 28, 2006 | location = Austin, TX, USA | url = http://www.win4lin.com/content/view/198/202/ | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060317042458/http://www.win4lin.com/content/view/198/202/ | archive-date = March 17, 2006 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}
Win4Lin Pro Desktop 3.0Win4Lin ProMay 30, 2006Unattended installation dubbed One-Click-2-Windows, copy-on-write snapshots.
Win4Lin Virtual Desktop ServerWinVDIJune 13, 2006Successor to Win4Lin Terminal Server, supporting Windows 2000 and XP. Server can be accessed using multiple protocols, including Win4Lin's client, VNC or NoMachine. Clients can access either individual applications or desktops and print to printers connected to the client's computer. Windows installation can be reset while keeping the Documents and Settings directory.
Win4Lin Pro Desktop 3.5Win4Lin ProNovember 30, 2006Support for variable-speed CPUs, pop-up menu for special key combinations, improved documentation.{{Cite press release | publisher = Virtual Bridges, Inc. | title = Virtual Bridges Announces Major Update of Win4Lin Pro Product | date = November 30, 2006 | location = Austin, TX, USA | url = http://www.win4lin.com/content/view/215/202/ | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070202170638/http://www.win4lin.com/content/view/215/202/ | archive-date = February 2, 2007 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}
Win4Lin Pro Desktop 4.0Win4Lin ProMarch 19, 2007Shared clipboard between host and guest, enhanced graphics options for Windows XP guests, headless start, bridged networking support, better handling of non-English characters in filenames. A single license allows two concurrent user sessions at the same time.{{Cite press release | publisher = Virtual Bridges, Inc. | title = Virtual Bridges Announces Major Update of Win4Lin Pro Product | date = March 19, 2007 | location = Austin, TX, USA | url = http://www.win4lin.com/content/view/218/202/ | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070613052828/http://www.win4lin.com/index.php/content/view/218/202/ | archive-date = June 13, 2007 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}
Win4Lin Virtual Desktop Server 4.5WinVDIOctober 25, 2007Update of VDS to Win4Lin Pro Desktop 4.5.{{Cite press release | publisher = Virtual Bridges, Inc. | title = Virtual Bridges Announces Major Update of Virtual Desktop Server (VDS) Product | date = October 25, 2007 | location = Austin, TX, USA | url = http://vbridges.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=1 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090102002354/http://vbridges.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=1 | archive-date = January 2, 2009 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}
Win4Lin Pro Desktop 4.5Win4Lin ProNovember 8, 2007Better audio support with ALSA and EsounD, remote audio playback. Seamless color printing, improved mouse handling. Support for Linux 2.6.22 and newer.{{Cite press release | publisher = Virtual Bridges, Inc. | title = Virtual Bridges Announces Major Upgrade of Win4 Pro Desktop Products | date = November 8, 2007 | url = http://win4lin.net/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=1 | url-status = usurped | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080502000724/http://win4lin.net/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=1 | archive-date = May 2, 2008 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}
Win4Lin Pro Desktop 5Win4Lin ProMay 15, 2008New user interface, KVM support, seamless guest windows.{{Cite web | publisher = Virtual Bridges, Inc. | title = Brand New Win4Lin and Win4Solaris Desktop 5 Released - Special Ubuntu Pricing $29.99 | date = May 15, 2008 | url = http://vbridges.com/wp/#post-13 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081218080539/http://vbridges.com/wp/#post-13 | archive-date = December 18, 2008 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}{{Cite press release | publisher = Virtual Bridges, Inc. | title = Virtual Bridges Announces Win4Lin Desktop 5 | date = May 15, 2008 | url = http://vbridges.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=1 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081219174743/http://vbridges.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=1 | archive-date = December 19, 2008 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}
WinVDI 5.0WinVDIAugust 8, 2008Update of VDS to Win4Lin Pro Desktop 5.0. Remote printing support.
Win4Lin Desktop 5.5Win4Lin ProOctober/November 2008Maintenance release.{{Cite web | publisher = Virtual Bridges, Inc. | title = Win4lin - The Best Way to Run Windows on Linux | url = http://win4lin.net/content/index.php | url-status = usurped | archive-url = http://web.archive.org/web/20081120180007/http://win4lin.net/content/index.php | archive-date = November 20, 2008 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}{{Cite web | last = Reiter | first = Leo | publisher = Virtual Bridges, Inc. | title = Win4Lin Pro 5.5 Update: Debian 5.0 Support, and More | url = http://vbridges.com/wp/?p=134 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090224141520/http://vbridges.com/wp/?p=134 | archive-date = February 24, 2009 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}

Reception

{{expand section|reviews from the EL section|date=February 2014}}

Many users reported that the 9x version ran windows software at near-native speed, even on quite low-powered machines, such as Pentium-IIs.{{citation needed|date=February 2014}}

Nicholas Petereley praised Win4Lin in two of his columns in the year 2000, for its significantly faster performance than its competitor VMware.{{cite magazine | title = Am I the only one who doesn't know why to use VMware? | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=vzgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA60 | first = Nicholas | last = Petreley | work = InfoWorld | date = December 11, 2000 | volume = 22 | issue = 50 | page = 60 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}

See also

References

{{Reflist|refs=

{{Cite web | last = Lawrence | first = Tony | date = April 2000 | title = WIN4LIN | url = https://aplawrence.com/Reviews/win4lin.html | access-date=February 4, 2025 | website=A.P. Lawrence}}

{{cite book | last = Hsiao | first=Aron | title = Sams teach yourself Red Hat Fedora 4 Linux: all in one | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=aTDAfvuTZ4IC&pg=PA678 | access-date = February 4, 2025 | date = July 7, 2005 | publisher = SAMS Publishing | page = 678 | isbn = 9780672327070}}

{{cite book | last = McCallister | first = Michael | title = Suse Linux 10: Unleashed | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=P_mbgQfn3ZAC&pg=PA191 | publisher = SAMS Publishing | access-date = February 4, 2025 | year = 2006 | pages = 191–192 | isbn = 9780672327261}}

{{cite magazine | title = Windows Emulators for Linux: VMware, Win4Lin Face Off | url = http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/69849/Windows_Emulators_for_Linux_VMware_Win4Lin_Face_Off | url-status = dead | archive-url = http://web.archive.org/web/20100324095653/http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/69849/Windows_Emulators_for_Linux_VMware_Win4Lin_Face_Off | archive-date = March 24, 2010 | access-date = February 4, 2025 | first = Charles | last = Bushong | work = Computerworld | date = April 4, 2002}}

{{cite magazine | title = Get Win4Lin and Windows users won't feel disenfranchised under Linux | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=vDgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA66 | first=Nicholas | last=Petreley | date=November 20, 2000 | work=InfoWorld | volume = 22 | issue = 47 | page = 66 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}

{{Cite press release | publisher = Win4Lin, Inc. | title = Win4Lin Ships Lightweight Low Cost Product Version | date = January 29, 2005 | location = Austin, TX, USA | url = http://linuxpr.com/releases/7530.html | via = LinuxPR | url-status = unfit | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101126173229/http://linuxpr.com/releases/7530.html | archive-date = November 26, 2010 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}

{{Cite press release | publisher = Win4Lin, Inc. | title = Win4Lin Delivers Windows 2000 and Windows XP on Linux | date = January 26, 2006 | location = Boston, MA, USA | url = https://lwn.net/Articles/124091/ | via = LWN.net | access-date = February 4, 2025}}

{{Cite press release | publisher = Win4Lin, Inc. | title = Win4Lin Announces Version 3 Win4Lin Pro | date = May 30, 2006 | location = Austin, TX, USA | url = http://www.win4lin.com/content/view/205/202/ | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070126053038/http://www.win4lin.com/content/view/205/202/ | archive-date = January 26, 2007 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}

{{Cite press release | publisher = Win4Lin, Inc. | title = Win4Lin Announces Virtual Desktop Server Product | date = June 13, 2006 | location = Austin, TX, USA | url = http://www.win4lin.com/content/view/206/202/ | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061207044610/http://www.win4lin.com/content/view/206/202/ | archive-date = December 7, 2006 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}

{{Cite press release | publisher = Virtual Bridges, Inc. | title = Virtual Bridges Announces Major Update to VDI Products | date = August 8, 2008 | url = http://vbridges.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=1 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090219104241/http://vbridges.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=1 | archive-date = February 19, 2009 | access-date = February 4, 2025}}

}}

External links

  • [http://archive09.linux.com/feature/139471 Win4Lin 5.0 makes big improvements], Linux.com, 2008
  • [http://archive09.linux.com/articles/61606 Win4Lin Pro Desktop 4.0 lags behind free alternatives], Linux.com, 2007
  • [http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/9358 Break the Hardware Upgrade Cycle with Win4Lin Windows Virtual Desktop Server], Linux Journal, 2007
  • [http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/run-windows-linux,1271.html Run Windows On Linux: Win4Lin Revisited] [Win4Lin Pro 3.0 review], Tom's Hardware, 2006
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20090803143034/http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/review/1014879/inquirer-helps-debug-win4lin-pro INQUIRER helps debug Win4Lin Pro] [2.7], The Inquirer, 2006
  • [http://opensource.sys-con.com/node/219877 Product Review — Running Windows on Linux], Win4Lin 2.7 vs. VMware Workstation 5.5.1., Open Source Magazine, 2006
  • [http://archive09.linux.com/articles/49496 Review: Win4Lin Pro] [2.0], Linux.com, 2005
  • [http://www.osnews.com/story/6384 A Look at Win4Lin 5.1], OSNews, 2004
  • [http://www.osnews.com/story/1112 Review of Win4Lin 4.0], OSNews, 2002
  • [http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/4707 VMware Express 2.0 and Win4Lin 2.0: A Comparison Review], Linux Journal, 2001

{{Virtualization products}}

Category:2000 software

Category:Virtualization software

Category:Linux emulation software

Category:Discontinued software