Table of Contents
The CrossOver Installation Wizard guides you through the process of installing Windows software. It can be launched from your system menu via the Install Windows Software option, or it can be run from the command-line, like this:
$
~/cxgames/bin/cxinstallwizard
The Wizard can also be launched from the CrossOver installer by clicking on the Install Windows Software button.
![]() |
|
The CrossOver Installation Wizard contains extensive knowledge about the specific conditions and parameters that make applications install and run. When software is installed without using the Wizard (for instance by running Wine directly) or when the Wizard is misinformed about what's being installed (for example if one application is installed when a different one has been selected from the selection panel) the installer behavior may be imperfect, and subsequent application behavior may be less reliable. |
The first panel displays a list of applications that are supported by CrossOver. Software that is already installed will have an asterisk (*) next to its name. To install a program, select its name from the list of supported applications and proceed to the next panel.
If you wish to install unsupported software, you may choose that option now. Keep in mind, though, that unsupported software may work poorly or not at all. In addition, installing unsupported software may prevent already installed supported Windows applications from working. It is generally recommended that unsupported applications be installed in a new bottle for testing purposes.
Show all service packs and dependencies. By default, if an application has not been installed then CrossOver will hide the corresponding service packs. CrossOver also hides certain components that are only useful when installed in conjuction with other applications. Select this option to display all posssible components and service packs in the application list.
To install TrueType fonts, launch the CrossOver Installation Wizard from the Fonts tab within CXSetup.
![]() |
|
If a specific bottle has not been previously selected, the CrossOver Installation Wizard will install new software into the default bottle whenever possible. If CrossOver detects conflicts between the selected package and the default bottle, the bottle panel will appear later in the install process and guide your installation into a more appropriate bottle. |
When installing software from a CD or DVD, the CrossOver Installation Wizard will allow you to pick a volume, file or directory to use as the installer.
CD-ROM. This option lets you select one of your CD drive. You can click on the
button to open the drive tray of the currently selected drive. When this option is selected, CrossOver will search that drive for an installer or autorun file. This option is the default, and will work for most cases where the application comes on a CD.Alternative CD-ROM location . If CrossOver did not detect your CD drive, or the CD contains multiple products in sub-directories, or you are installing files that have been copied from a Cd into a directory, select this option and specify the path to the directory containing the desired files. CrossOver will search the specified directory for an installer or autorun file.
Other *.exe file . If you want to install software off your harddrive, or off a CD that contains several installers, select this option and specify the desired installer. In some cases, CrossOver will be unable to locate a default installer file when you select one of the CD-ROM options. In that cases, you will need to locate the installer file on the disk yourself, using this option.
![]() |
|
In most cases, CrossOver will install new software into your default bottle without issue, and this panel will not appear. |
Some applications will only run properly in certain bottles. If you are in the process of installing software into an inappropriate bottle, the bottle panel will appear and redirect your installation into a bottle of the correct type.
![]() |
|
If you are installing software that is not officially supported by CrossOver, this panel will always appear and encourage you to install into a new bottle. Installing into a new bottle will prevent unsupported installers from damaging existing, stable applications. It will also prevent future adverse interaction between supported and unsupported software. If you require that an unsupported application share a bottle with another program, you can override CrossOver and direct the install into an existing bottle. Be aware, however, that this may produce unpredictable results, and that CodeWeavers tech support will not assist you with problems that this causes. |
New bottle. Select this option to create a new bottle to contain the application you are installing. The new bottle may be given whatever name you choose.
If you are installing a supported package, this option will automatically create a bottle that is of the appropriate type for the selected package. If you are installing unsupported software, you will need to specify which Windows version you would like this bottle to emulate.
Appropriate existing bottle. If there is already a bottle of the correct type on your system, select this option to install into that bottle (or into the specified bottle, if more than one of this type exist). With this option, the new software will coexist with whatever software is already present in the selected bottle.
![]() |
|
If you are installing unsupported software, this option will never be available. The only appropriate bottle for unsupported software is a new, empty bottle. |
Other existing bottle. Select this option to direct installation into an existing bottle that is not of the correct type for this package. This option is almost never a good idea, and may produce erratic results. Software in the existing bottle may be damaged as a result.
Many applications can be downloaded from the Internet. For most of those, CrossOver can even automatically download the installers for you. Just make sure that you have an active connection to the internet before moving beyond this screen.
Express install. CrossOver maintains a list of download locations for most installers. When you select Express install, CrossOver will automatically download the installer and run it.
Advanced install. If the Express install fails or if you wish to use an installer that you already have (e.g. to avoid a lengthy download on a slow connection), select the Advanced install option. When this option is selected, clicking Next >> will take you to the Advanced panel described below.
This panel provides more specific control of the download and installation process. It also allows you to specify an alternative installer file.
In some cases, CrossOver is unable to automatically download an installer. In that case, CrossOver will open this panel immediately. You will need to download the installer by hand, and direct CrossOver to the proper file.
Download Installer . If this installer can be automatically downloaded, you may choose a source file via this popup. If the application is available in a variety of languages, each URL will be preceded by the name of the corresponding language
Choose installer file . If you have already downloaded an installer file use the ... button to select that file.
Once the installation is complete, you're free to click Finish and begin using your Windows software immediately. For finer control of the post-installation process, there are several other options available.
Remove installer files. If you downloaded an installer file as part of the installation process, this option will be checked to recover the space used by the installer. Deselect this option if you wish to keep the installer file for future installations or modifications.
Install more Windows software. Select this option to restart the CrossOver Installation Wizard at the beginning and install another program.
Package log for CodeWeavers support. This option will be available if you are installing supported software and a problem occurred during the installation process. If this option is selected, CrossOver will copy an archive of the installation logs files to the selected file name. You may be asked to provide this file if you seek assistance from CodeWeavers tech support.