Arch Linux Shifts to Pure WoW64 Builds for Wine and Wine-Staging

Arch Linux users relying on Wine to run Windows applications will soon notice a significant under-the-hood change. The distribution has announced a transition to pure WoW64 builds for both wine and wine-staging packages, effectively eliminating their dependency on the multilib repository.

The move aligns Arch more closely with upstream Wine development while simplifying packaging and dependency management.

For those unfamiliar, WoW64 (Windows-on-Windows 64-bit) is a Windows subsystem that allows 32-bit applications to run on 64-bit versions of Windows.

But what caused the change? Traditionally, many Linux distros built separate 32-bit and 64-bit Wine packages. But with pure WoW64 builds, you can install just one 64-bit Wine that can still run both 64-bit and 32-bit Windows apps.

For years, Wine users on Arch have also depended on the multilib repo to handle 32-bit compatibility layers. However, this new shift to WoW64—a hybrid 32/64-bit architecture—means Wine can now run 32-bit Windows applications seamlessly on 64-bit systems for Ach users without requiring separate 32-bit libraries.

According to devs, the decision was driven by upstream Wine’s development trajectory, which increasingly favors WoW64 for its streamlined maintenance and reduced complexity.

While the transition promises long-term benefits, it’s not without its short-term hiccups. Two key considerations should be taken into account:

1. OpenGL Performance Hit: The WoW64 build introduces a known performance drop for 32-bit applications that rely on OpenGL. Gamers and users of graphics-heavy software may notice the difference, though Vulkan and Direct3D applications remain unaffected.
2. Prefix Reconfiguration Required: Existing 32-bit Wine prefixes—custom environments where Windows apps are installed—must be recreated from scratch. Users encountering issues are advised to back up their data, delete the old prefixes, and reinstall their applications under the new WoW64 setup.

For more information, see the announcement.