Running a windows app in Zorin 17 pro

Hi
Very new user to Zorin 17 Pro - installed yesterday.
Looking to use it to replace Win10 on several computers here.

At first sight - all looks good (trying it out on the 'workshop' computer - which is used mostly for web browsing and playing music / youtube).

There seem to be good substitutes for most of the windows apps I need - but there's one (glasseye2000 - www.dfly.com) that's pretty-much essential, and only works under Windows.

So - I downloaded the exe for glasseye, clicked on it, and it appeared to install (yes!)
Wine and Bottles are installed.

Unfortunately, when I click on Glasseye to run it - I get an error message that mfc42.dll is unavailable, and the program closes.

So - help please.... in simple terms.
Long-time computer-programmer/user - initially at assembler-level, then onto Windows - but very green indeed when it comes to Linux / Zorin.

Thanks in advance
Adrian

There are a bunch of ways to make use of WINE on Linux. Bottles is one. If you just double clicked the .EXE, you're going through stuff Zorin sets up to make Windows apps more seamless rather than Bottles, so what I can actually offer is vague, as it's not the method I use, but it might put you on the right track. I'll also provide some information for Bottles and Steam, since they might be easier to get going.

MFC.dll is Microsoft Foundation Class, and a lot of applications will look for it. My first recommendation would be to start Winetricks (you may need to install it), and look through its menu for a dependencies section. As I recall, there's a dependencies section, and you may be able to add MFC or Microsoft Foundation Class there. I apologize again for being vague; this isn't the method I use for running Windows stuff.

As a corollary of sorts, you may be able to grab mfc42.dll from a Windows computer and copy it to whichever directory houses your application, but I caution you against just downloading a loose DLL unless you're ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN the source is trustworthy. In this case, I wouldn't do it unless it came straight from microsoft.com.

The next easy method would actually be to try using it through Steam. I encourage you to uninstall your previous attempt first. If you install Steam (free, and available for Linux), you can click Games > Add a Non-Steam Game to my Library, and browse for GlassEye2000's installer. Running this way will go through the install process and create an entry in your Steam library for the installer, which isn't exactly what you want, but it's the first step. Right click the installer entry in the library, choose Properties, Compatibility, and check the box to use a compatibility tool. You'll probably want Proton Hotfix from the drop down. Run the installer from the Steam entry, and go through installation. Repeat the process of adding a non-Steam game, but this time browse for and add Glasseye's actual, installed .exe. Again, it'll create a listing in your Steam Library. With luck, you'll be able to run it from that (again, after enabling a compatibility tool as with the installer). You should be able to create a desktop shortcut through right click menus on that listing, and can remove the installer entry from your library too.

Finally, you mentioned Bottles. This is actually the method I use most for everything but Steam games. For Bottles, you can follow the instructions I wrote for Diablo 4 over here, just replacing Battle.Net with Glasseye. If it misses mfc42.dll in Bottles too, you can go into the bottle's settings the same way as updating the runner (that's explained in the link), but go into the dependencies menu and search for MFC or Microsoft Foundation, and install from that menu. I THINK it's in that list, but I am currently, lamentably, on Windows at the moment and can't personally check.

I hope some of this helps get you on the right track, and apologize that I can't provide more precise instructions, not currently being on Linux.

EDIT: I skipped an important step with Steam, of setting compatibility. Without that, it won't work. Instructions updated.

Hi there.
Many thanks for this reply - I'll print it out and take it to the other computer, which is the one that I'm using as a bit of a test-bed, before I make the Big Leap with this main 'office' computer.

I'll follow your suggestions, and report back - thanks!

As I say, if I can get this particular program to work then I'll be fairly confident that I can cut loose from depending on Microsoft - which will be a Good Thing!

Thanks
Adrian

1 Like

Open a terminal and enter:

sudo winecfg

When you launch go to the tab with .dll. Add a new entry and from memory you should scroll down to find mfc42.dll there is also a setting about using 'native first'. Also, whatever version of Windows that application runs on, make sure you choose the correct version of Windows (the default is usually set to Windows 7).

Thanks for that. Will take a look at that also....
Adrian

If everything fails you could try Crossover, it's not free but it makes things easier.

Thanks - it's a bit pricey, but if all else fails.....
Adrian

Aye, try the trial first and install the app to make esure it works before buying.