A new guide from HowToGeek shows how Linux users can run classic Windows CD-ROM games that have lingered on shelves for years. The tutorial highlights Linux's compatibility with these vintage titles. It was published on January 25, 2026.
HowToGeek has released a practical tutorial titled 'How to install Windows CD-ROM games on Linux,' aimed at reviving old gaming experiences on modern systems. The article's description notes: 'Those old CD games that have been sitting on your shelf for eternity? Linux can run them.'
This guide comes at a time when interest in retro gaming continues to grow among enthusiasts seeking to preserve and play titles from the CD-ROM era, originally designed for Windows. By leveraging Linux's built-in tools and compatibility layers, users can access these games without needing the original operating system.
The publication addresses a common challenge for Linux adopters who own physical media from past decades but lack straightforward methods to launch them. While specifics of the installation process are detailed in the full article, the tutorial emphasizes accessibility for those with dusty collections of CD-ROM discs.
No additional context on the development or testing of the method is provided in the available excerpts, but it underscores Linux's versatility in handling legacy software. This resource could appeal to gamers nostalgic for early 1990s and 2000s titles, bridging the gap between old hardware and current open-source platforms.