CodeWeavers announces CrossOver 14

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CrossOver LogoWe’ve posted about CrossOver before, but for those unfamiliar with it, the software is a paid Windows compatibility-layer based on Wine and comes in two flavours: Mac OS X and Linux.

It includes some extra features over Wine (including the ability to organise different configurations into containers known as ‘bottles’), automates the process of finding required packages, and makes the whole process of working with Wine much more user friendly.

Marking the release of Version 14, CodeWeavers web admin Josh DuBois outlined some of the improvements on their forums:

For OS X users, CrossOver 14 introduces compatibility with Apple’s latest version of OS X, Yosemite, and also introduces a new and easy-to-use user interface.  Windows applications now can be launched directly from CrossOver itself, and CrossOver presents simple icons you can drag to your OS X dock as shortcuts to your favorite Windows applications.  Managing Windows applications on your Mac is easier than ever with CrossOver 14.

For Linux users, CrossOver has a powerful new automatic configuration feature which will detect, download, and install system components necessary to run Windows applications.  CrossOver includes a database
of what packages are needed by which Windows applications on which Linux distributions.  When you use the CrossOver Software Installer to install a Windows application that depends on a particular Linux
package, CrossOver will ask whether you want to install the required dependencies.  If you agree, CrossOver will automatically install the required Linux packages before moving on to the Windows software install.  This makes installing Windows software on Linux easier than it has ever been.

CrossOver 14 includes support for Quicken 2015 and a number of new games.  CrossOver 14 is based on Wine 1.7.25, bringing thousands of improvements to application stability and support.

This is particularly pleasing for those looking to switch away from Windows, as even more of their favourite software can be carried over with them.