Overview

CrossOver, developed by CodeWeavers, is a compatibility layer built on Wine that enables running many Microsoft Windows applications directly on macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS without requiring a Windows license or virtual machine. By incorporating tailored patches, user-friendly configuration tools, and automated installers, CrossOver aims to deliver near-native performance and user experience for productivity software, utilities, and games. CodeWeavers continuously contributes all underlying Wine source modifications back to the open‑source community under LGPL, while offering a polished proprietary interface and support structure.

Features and Capabilities

• **Compatibility & Performance: **Supports thousands of Windows applications, including Office suites, financial tools, and games, running with native‑like speed without a full Windows OS.
• **Multi‑Platform Support: **Available on macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS, CrossOver brings Windows apps to widely used non‑Windows desktop environments.
• **Wine‑Based Architecture: **Built upon Wine, enhanced with proprietary patches, Mono integration, and utilities for better stability and automation; CodeWeavers efficiently merges improvements back to the Wine project.
• **DirectX & Graphics Enhancements: **In versions like CrossOver 23.5–25, the inclusion of VKD3D, DXVK, MoltenVK, and D3DMetal allows support for DirectX 11/12 on macOS and Linux with improved graphics and game compatibility.
• **Technical Support & Upgrades: **Offers subscription-based support, regular updates, and a fully functional 14‑day trial; licensing includes support renewals and upgrade policies for users and organizations.
• **User‑Friendly Tools: **Includes automated installation scripts, configuration wizards, and an application compatibility database to simplify deploying Windows software across diverse environments.
• **Community Contribution & Open Source Impact: **CodeWeavers is a leading contributor to the Wine project, committing thousands of patches and innovations from CrossOver back to the community under LGPL.