Wine 10.16 released with NTSync synchronization support
Wine 10.16 was released over the weekend, introducing fast synchronization support via NTSync for improved performance on Linux. The update also enables 16-bit app support in WoW64 mode and addresses bugs in various games. Users need a recent Linux kernel to fully utilize the new features.
The release of Wine 10.16 marks a significant update for the compatibility layer that allows Windows applications to run on Linux and other Unix-like systems. According to the Wine GitLab source, the primary addition is fast synchronization support using NTSync, which has been anticipated by the community. This feature aims to enhance performance, particularly for synchronization tasks.
Other key changes include support for 16-bit applications in the new WoW64 mode, initial implementation for D3DKMT objects, and the generation and installation of WinMD files for Windows Metadata. The update also incorporates various bug fixes, improving compatibility for several titles. Among the games benefiting from these fixes are Need for Speed III, Shadow Company: Left for Dead, Alpha Polaris, Face Noir, A Stroke of Fate series, Overwatch, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, Metro 2033, Project CARS, Wolfenstein: The Old Blood and New Order, Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen, and Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II, with more improvements noted.
To take advantage of NTSync, users require Linux kernel version 6.14 or later, and must enable NTSync in the kernel configuration, as most distributions do not activate it by default. The release addresses ongoing questions about NTSync integration, providing a concrete advancement in Wine's development.
Looking ahead, the community awaits Proton 10 from Valve to exit beta, potentially soon. This could pave the way for Wine 11 and Proton 11 sometime next year.