The Wine Project, a compatibility layer that enables Linux and macOS users to run Windows applications, has released version 11.1 as the first maintenance update to the stable 11.x series.
This release includes various changes that were postponed during the previous code freeze. Among the notable technical improvements is expanded pixel format conversion support in WindowsCodecs, which addresses image-handling issues affecting several applications and image viewers.
Development work has also continued on ActiveX Data Objects (MSADO), improving compatibility for software that relies on Microsoft’s data access technologies.
Moreover, Wine 11.1 resolves 22 reported bugs. These include fixes for corrupted text rendering in games such as Project Cars 2 and SnowRunner, crashes in applications such as iTunes, GOG Galaxy, and FastStone Image Viewer, and multiple installer failures due to missing or unimplemented system functions.
The release also addresses several Wayland-specific issues, including broken icons and variable refresh rate behavior, further refining Wine’s integration with modern Linux graphics stacks.
Finally, additional fixes target networking behavior, Windows Store installers, legacy .NET Framework components, and application freezes involving launchers such as Ubisoft Connect and Microsoft Edge–based WebView2.
How to Get Wine 11.1
The source code is available now, and binary packages for various distributions are expected to be available shortly. Depending on your distro:
Ubuntu/Debian users: The WineHQ repositories usually get updated pretty quickly. You can add the official WineHQ PPA and update through your package manager.
Arch users: You probably already have it. The AUR is probably already updated. You know how this works.
Fedora users: Check the WineHQ Fedora packages—they’re typically available within a day or two of release.
Everyone else: Either build from source (if you’re feeling adventurous) or wait for your distro’s repositories to catch up. Most mainstream distros are pretty good about getting new Wine versions packaged quickly.
You can grab the source from the official GitLab project page if you want to compile it yourself.
What This Release Really Means
Wine 11.1 is what’s called a “development release” in Wine’s versioning scheme. Here’s how it works: maintenance updates for Wine 11.0 will be released throughout 2026, and these will be stable versions Linux Adictos. The next stable version will be Wine 11.0.1.
But updates released every two weeks will increment by the second number (11.1, 11.2, 11.3), and these will pave the way for Wine 12.0 Linux Adictos. So Wine 11.1 is actually the starting point for all the development work that’ll eventually become Wine 12.0 in early 2027.
This means every two weeks, we’re going to get new Wine releases with bug fixes, improvements, and gradual feature additions. It’s a steady drumbeat of progress rather than big dramatic releases with year-long waits in between.
Should You Upgrade?
If you’re running Wine 11.0 and any of these issues affect you, absolutely. The upgrade is straightforward, and since it’s still the 11.x series, you’re not risking major compatibility breakage.
If you’ve been dealing with:
- Text rendering problems in Project Cars 2 or SnowRunner
- iTunes or GOG Galaxy crashes
- Installer failures for various Windows apps
- Wayland display issues
- Ubisoft Connect freezing
…then this update is basically made for you.
For everyone else, it’s still worth updating because a total of 207 changes were made Linux Adictos beyond just the bug fixes. That’s a lot of invisible polish that makes the whole system more stable and reliable.
For more information, visit the announcement. Wine 11.1’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.
- Design
