WindowsKompatibilitätsebene

WindowsKompati is an open-source compatibility layer designed to enable Windows applications to run on non-Windows operating systems. It provides a runtime environment that translates Windows API calls to the host OS interfaces and loads Windows executables (PE format) on platforms such as Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD. The project seeks to improve portability of Windows software and to offer an extensible foundation for developers and enthusiasts.

Key features include a Win32 API translation layer, a loader for 32-bit and 64-bit binaries, a registry emulation, file system redirection, and a graphics subsystem abstraction. It uses a modular plugin system to handle device drivers, COM components, fonts, and multimedia. The project emphasizes portability, sandboxing, and integration with host-package ecosystems and packaging tools.

Architecture: The core consists of the runtime, a WinAPI translation layer, and a host-native implementation layer that expresses Windows calls in the host OS API. The graphics and multimedia stacks are layered to translate GDI/GDI+ and DirectX-like calls into the host's rendering pipeline. A registry database imitates Windows registry, and a virtual file system maps Windows paths to host file locations.

Development and reception: WindowsKompati is developed by an international volunteer community. It is released under an open-source license. As with similar projects, compatibility varies by application; some software runs with near-native performance, while others require workarounds. The project maintains issue trackers and documentation and encourages community contributions.