Chapter 2. Quick Start Guide

If you are familiar with other versions of CrossOver or you are comfortable making mistakes, this chapter should get you started running Windows software in a few minutes. For greater detail about the concepts and features in CrossOver Linux consult the later chapters in this guide.

Installing CrossOver.  In order to best fit most needs CrossOver is available as a Debian and RPM package and also as a generic graphical installer. To install the Debian and RPM packages please refer to your Linux distribution's documentation. For the graphical installer, simply mark it as executable and run it. For more details see the Installing CrossOver Linux section of this guide.

Starting CrossOver.  The graphical installer will automatically start CrossOver when the installation is complete. For the Debian and RPM cases, and if you need to start it at a later time, look for a CrossOver icon in your desktop environment menus.

The first run.  The first time you launch CrossOver, you should see the window below (if you are upgrading and already have Windows applications installed, you should see them on the right-hand side of the window below):

Installing a Windows program.  To install new Windows software, click the Install Windows Software button. The CrossOver Software Installer (pictured below) will appear. You can search for and select the application you wish to install. If the program you want to install is not specifically named, select Other Application.

Running a Windows program.  If all went well, CrossOver's main window is now populated with launchers for the Windows applications you have installed. You can click on these icons to run your Windows applications.

CrossOver also integrates your Windows applications with your desktop environment, so you can launch them just like you would any other program on your computer. For example, if you have installed Microsoft Excel and are using Unity or GNOME 3, you should be able to simply type excel in the search bar and find a working shortcut.

Of course, the screenshot pictured above is specific to GNOME 3. The exact nature of CrossOver's integration with your desktop environment depends on what desktop environment you use. If you cannot make use of CrossOver's desktop integration in your particular environment, CrossOver's main menu is always available to you.

If your program did not create any icons, you can still launch it through the ToolsRun Command… menu.

Have fun!