WINE Code Freeze en Route to Version 1.0
In preparation for the first stable version, the WINE project has now frozen the current state of development ("Code Freeze").
As of now, developers will be focusing on fixing bugs. The first WINE Release Candidate is scheduled for May 9, with a second RC to follow May 23.The release date for the first, stable version 1.0 has not been decided on yet, but the developers are aiming for June.
Right now, the bug database still has 38 open, known bugs which need to be fixed by the release candidates. The WINE developers have already hinted that some issues may live on into successive versions.
WINE gives users the ability to run Windows programs on Linux. In contrast to emulators, it provides the functionality of the Windows API; that is it acts as a runtime environment between the application and the operating system. This not only means that programs run faster, windows in Windows applications are peers with their native Linux counterparts. As this is extremely complex and due to the fact that Microsoft is not prepared to help, WINE has taken almost 15 years to approach the first stable version.
The release criterion defined by the developers was trouble-free support for four critical applications: Photoshop CS2 ("Tryout Version"), Microsoft Powerpoint Viewer, Word Viewer and Excel Viewer versions 97 and 2003. The stable version will not be released until all four work correctly. Despite all this, the application database on the WINE homepage already lists over 1000 supported programs, most of them legacy tools, whereas current heavyweights, such as Photoshop CS3, are not covered.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Digital Autonomy
• The Answer Was Already on the Shelf
• Changing the Chip Industry: How Public Investment Has Grown Open Silicon
• United Nations Open Source Portal Goes Live
• EU Open Source Strategy Plays Key Role in Tech Sovereignty Package
• France Says “Au Revoir” to Microsoft
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Pine64 Halts Production of Linux Devices
With continued DRAM and eMMC shortages, Pine64 has decided to discontinue production of Linux devices.
-
The Bullet-Proof KDE Software Initiative Is Coming
KDE, Techpaladin, and Kubuntu Focus have announced a new initiative that will provide at least three years of support for KDE Plasma 6.6 LTS and related software.
-
Linux Mint Shares a Possible Kernel Cleanup Solution
For those on Linux Mint who like to keep multiple kernels around but don't want them to take up too much space, you might be getting a new automated tool.
-
CachyOS Gets an Update
CachyOS August 2026 release is now available with the latest version of KDE, some new features, and plenty of improvements.
-
The Linux Kernel Dev Staging Area Now Rejects AI-Generated Patches
Unless a kernel patch is a valid security fix, it will be rejected if it was created using AI.
-
Linux Surpasses Double-Digit Market Share
According to two sources, the Linux operating system has hit a major milestone in market share that naysayers thought would never happen.
-
AI Helped Develop a Linux Exploit
A use-after-free race exploit was discovered and exploited on CentOS Stream 9.
-
Yet Another Linux Kernel Vulnerability Discovered
Affecting millions of systems, a kernel flaw discovered by Qualys could allow users to gain root privileges.
-
Ubuntu 26.10 to Include Ubuntu Certified Hardware Check
If you've ever wondered if your laptop or PC is officially certified to run Ubuntu, that curiosity will soon be met.
-
Substantial Update to IPFire Now Available
The lastest version of IPFire features a fundamental change to how the system handles DNS.