The Wine Project, a compatibility layer that enables Linux and macOS users to run Windows applications, has officially released version 10.18 as a maintenance update to the stable 10.x series.
One of the major changes in Wine 10.18 is the introduction of OpenGL memory mapping using Vulkan in WoW64 mode. This feature enhances performance and compatibility for applications that rely on OpenGL, particularly in mixed 32-bit and 64-bit environments. By leveraging Vulkan, Wine can handle OpenGL workloads more efficiently, offering smoother rendering and reduced overhead.
Another key addition is the synchronization barriers API, which helps improve thread and process coordination within Wine, aligning it more closely with Windows’ behavior in complex applications. Support for WinRT exceptions has also been added, expanding compatibility with modern Windows applications that depend on the Windows Runtime framework.
Further extending hardware access capabilities, Wine 10.18 introduces SCSI pass-through in WoW64 mode, enabling more accurate emulation of low-level device interactions for applications that communicate directly with hardware devices.
In addition to these major improvements, the release includes 30 bug fixes covering a wide range of software. Notable fixes address issues with titles like Sid Meier’s Pirates!, The Witcher 2, Jolly Rover, C&C Generals: Zero Hour, and Exact Audio Copy, as well as usability problems in applications such as KeePass 2 and Autodesk Fusion.
Lastly, Wine 10.18 also resolves several long-standing technical issues, including handling of trailing backslashes in file paths, thread synchronization errors, and performance slowdowns in OpenGL applications when using the new WoW64 subsystem.
For more information, visit the announcement. Wine 10.18’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.
