The Wine Project, a compatibility layer renowned for enabling Linux and macOS users to run Windows applications, has officially released version 10.12 as the twelfth maintenance update to the stable 10.x series. Key enhancements include:
One of the standout additions in this release is the optional EGL backend in the X11 driver, which could improve graphics performance and compatibility for certain applications. EGL, a cross-platform interface for rendering APIs like OpenGL and Vulkan, may offer smoother performance in games and graphical software running under Wine.
Gamepads, styluses, and other BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) peripherals can now advertise and exchange data natively. That should eliminate many workarounds users have relied on for years, especially when pairing Xbox controllers or VR tracking pucks.
For developers, WIDL (Wine Interface Definition Language) now has better support for generating Windows Runtime metadata, streamlining the process of ensuring compatibility with newer Windows APIs. Additionally, ARM64 builds are now enabled in GitLab CI, making it easier to test and deploy Wine on ARM-based systems.
Lastly, as with any Wine release, bug fixes play a crucial role in refining the user experience. Version 10.12 addresses 17 issues, including some long-standing and high-impact problems. Among them:
- DXVK/VKD3D-Proton users experiencing flickering on the Sway window manager should see improvements.
- A severe memory leak during overlapped reads has been resolved, which should improve performance in certain applications.
- Clip Studio Paint 3.0 users will no longer encounter an error related to “USER32.dll.”
- Games and video playback see multiple fixes, including an issue where some titles would freeze after playing an intro video.
- Total Commander 11.55 users faced an “Access Denied” error when comparing large files—this has now been fixed.
For more information, visit the announcement. Wine 10.12’s source code can be downloaded from GitLab’s project page for those interested in trying out or upgrading their current installation. The binary packages for various distributions are expected to be available shortly.
