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Guide · Open source

How to use WinBoat: run Windows apps on Linux

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

WinBoat is an open-source Electron app that runs Windows applications on Linux, with individual Windows apps shown as normal windows on your desktop. This guide explains what you need before you start, how to get WinBoat from the Releases page or build it yourself, and what to expect while the project is in beta. By the end you will know whether your machine meets the requirements and how to get a Windows app running.

WinBoatwinboat-org/winboat · ★ 23.3k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Check your hardware. Confirm you have at least 4 GB RAM, 2 CPU threads, 32 GB free storage and KVM enabled in BIOS/UEFI.
  2. 2Install a container runtime. Install Docker with Docker Compose v2, or Podman with Podman Compose. Do not use Docker Desktop.
  3. 3Install FreeRDP 3.x. Install FreeRDP version 3.x with sound support, using the prebuilds linked in the README.
  4. 4Get WinBoat. Download an AppImage, Unpacked, deb or rpm build from the Releases tab, or build from source.
  5. 5Build from source (optional). Clone the repository, run bun i, then run bun run build:linux-gs. This requires Bun and Go.
  6. 6Launch and troubleshoot. Start the app and work through setup. Because the project is in beta, be ready to troubleshoot.

What WinBoat is and who it is for

WinBoat runs a Windows virtual machine inside a Docker or Podman container. It uses FreeRDP together with Windows' RemoteApp protocol so that Windows programs appear as native-looking windows on your Linux desktop.

The project is best suited to Linux users who need one specific Windows-only program for occasional use. The README describes WinBoat as beta software, so it is aimed at people comfortable with some troubleshooting.

  • Good fit: occasional use of a Windows-only app while staying on Linux
  • Good fit: you already run Docker or Podman and have KVM virtualization enabled
  • Poor fit: you need a stable, production-grade setup
  • Poor fit: you need a full Windows desktop replacement on a low-spec machine

Check the requirements before installing

The README lists the minimum hardware and software. If your machine falls below these, the virtual machine will not run well or at all.

You also need either Docker with Docker Compose v2 or Podman with Podman Compose, and FreeRDP 3.x with sound support. Docker Desktop is not supported according to the README.

  • RAM: at least 4 GB
  • CPU: at least 2 CPU threads
  • Storage: at least 32 GB free on the drive your install folder uses
  • Virtualization: KVM enabled in BIOS/UEFI
  • Docker: add your user to the docker group
  • Podman: version 4.x or higher; the README warns that apt on Debian/Ubuntu may install an older version
  • FreeRDP: version 3.x with sound support

Install WinBoat from a release build

The simplest route is to download a Linux build from the Releases tab of the GitHub repository. The README offers four variants, so pick the one that matches your distribution.

On Nix, the README says to add the winboat package to your configuration on nixpkgs-unstable and to enable Docker and add your user to the docker group.

  • AppImage: portable, said to run fine on most distributions
  • Unpacked: run the executable linux-unpacked/winboat
  • deb: intended for Debian-based distributions
  • rpm: intended for Fedora-based distributions
  • Nix (Nixpkgs): use environment.systemPackages or home.packages

Build WinBoat from source

Building from source requires Bun and Go. The README gives these steps, run from a terminal in the folder you cloned into.

After the build, the README says the app is under dist, with an AppImage and an Unpacked variant.

git clone https://github.com/TibixDev/WinBoat bun i bun run build:linux-gs

Know the known limitations

The README lists two container-runtime limits. Docker Desktop is unsupported, and USB passthrough via Podman is currently unsupported.

Other features mentioned include filesystem integration, where your home directory is mounted in Windows, and smartcard passthrough. The README also notes that some features are still being added.

  • Docker Desktop: unsupported for now
  • USB passthrough with Podman: unsupported for now
  • Expect occasional hiccups and bugs during beta
  • Your home directory is mounted in Windows for file sharing

What people use it for

  • Running a single Windows-only business or utility program on a Linux desktop
  • Keeping a Windows app in your normal Linux workflow instead of booting a full Windows desktop
  • Sharing files between Linux and Windows through the mounted home directory
  • Testing Windows programs from a Linux development machine

Frequently asked questions

Is WinBoat free?

WinBoat is licensed under the MIT license, as stated in the README and the LICENSE file in the repository. The README does not list any paid tiers, so the source describes it as open source under MIT.

What are the WinBoat requirements?

The README lists at least 4 GB RAM, at least 2 CPU threads, at least 32 GB free storage and KVM enabled in BIOS/UEFI. You also need Docker with Compose v2 or Podman with Podman Compose, plus FreeRDP 3.x with sound support.

Does WinBoat work with Docker Desktop?

No. The README says Docker Desktop is not supported and that you will run into issues if you use it. Use Docker Engine or Podman instead.

Can I use WinBoat with Podman?

Yes, the README covers Podman with Podman Compose and asks for Podman 4.x or higher. USB passthrough with Podman is currently unsupported according to the README.

Is WinBoat stable enough for daily work?

The README describes WinBoat as beta, says it may have bugs, and asks users to be comfortable troubleshooting. It is not presented as production-grade software.

How does WinBoat compare to WinApps or dockur/windows?

The README lists WinApps, Cassowary and dockur/windows as similar projects. It says dockur/windows is also used in WinBoat, and that WinBoat took inspiration from some of these projects. Compare them on your own needs, as the README does not benchmark them.

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Our verdict

WinBoat suits Linux users who need an occasional Windows-only app and have a machine that meets the listed requirements, with KVM and Docker or Podman already set up. It is beta software, so people who need stability or who use Docker Desktop should look at the alternatives listed in the README instead.

Install options & downloads