Steam Proton: How to Play Windows Games on Linux

Linux games are getting better every day, and with Steam’s Proton Compatibility Layer, over 16,000 games in the Steam Library can now be played on Linux. Proton is a big deal for Linux, and it is also used on Valve’s next Steam Deck with Linux. In this tutorial, we will guide you on how to use Steam Proton to play Windows games on Linux.

How to Use Steam Proton to Play Windows Games on Linux

To start playing Windows games on Linux, follow these steps:

Step 1: Enable Proton

1. Launch the Steam application from the application menu
2. Click Steam in the upper left corner of the application and select Settings
3. In the sidebar, click Steam Play
4. Click “Enable Steam Play for supported titles” and “Enable Steam Play for all other title options”
5. Once Steam Play is enabled, you can start playing Windows games on Linux. Choose a game from your Steam library and install it. If you haven’t bought any games from Steam yet, we’ve listed the top ten AAA Windows games you can play on Linux.
6. Once the installation is complete, click Play to launch the game and start playing!

Step 2: Install a Non-Steam Game Using Proton

If you have a non-Steam game that you want to play on Linux, follow these steps:

1. Open Steam and click “Add a Game” in the lower-left corner of the app
2. Select “Add a Non-Steam Game”
3. Navigate to your game’s executable file (usually ends with “.exe”) and select it
4. The game will now appear in your library as a non-Steam game. Click “Play” to start playing!

Note that games with anti-cheat mechanisms like BattlEye and EAC may not work. However, Valve is working with the developers of these anti-cheat programs, and has promised that close to 100% of the games on Steam will be available to play by the time the Steam Deck is released.

FAQs

Can I play non-Steam games using Proton on Linux?

Yes, you can. The Steam app allows you to add non-Steam games to the library. All you need to do is open Steam, select “Add a Non-Steam Game,” and navigate to your game’s .exe file. If your game is on the Epic Games Launcher or Ubisoft Connect, you can use Wine with any Wine front-end (Lutris or Play on Linux) to install their respective launchers and games. If a game doesn’t work, try running it with Proton.

What Windows games are compatible with Steam Proton on Linux?

Currently, with Steam Proton, over 16,000 Windows games are compatible with Linux, including popular games like GTA V, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Cyberpunk 2077.

Conclusion

That’s it! By following our simple steps, you can now play Windows games on Linux using Steam Proton. If you have any trouble or queries, please feel free to ask us in the comments section. Share this article with your friends and family who are interested in gaming on Linux.