Windows Programs in Desktop mode?

[docvalentine]

Is there a way to use Proton to run something without adding the .exe to Steam and running it as a Steam game?

I'd prefer not to have a bunch of apps cluttering up my Steam library for one thing, and for another I have like 2000 games that I got on itch.io that I probably want to launch once and delete.

[retrogunner]

For your reading pleasure:
https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2022/03/the-itchio-app-works-on-a-steam-deck/
But that's only going to help with the Linux native games.

You'll likely want to install Lutris (currently in the Flathub beta channel). It supports HB, Steam, Epic, GOG. Itch.io is listed as a game. https://lutris.net/games/itchio/ which should be a windows flavor.

But this could also be an alternate inspiration method:
https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/tynrsh/installing_windows_games_via_the_linux_itchio_app/

Please be sure to post what you did to get it working as others will want to do the same.

[docvalentine]

I think you're focusing on the itch.io part and missing the question . . . ?

Itch.io games are just one example of something I'd like to run - what I want is a way to launch Windows applications without using the "add a non-steam game to my library" function.

[toidi]

Lutris also has installers for quite a few windows applications, adobe creative cloud is just one example.

You could go through the process of installing WINE system wide and then create a singular, or multiple prefixes for your windows applications, but that is definitely not a simple route.

[Prezidentas]

Bottles from the flatpak store is great for running software that's not games.

[Clone303]

yes

[@R+5]

Originally posted by docvalentine:

I think you're focusing on the itch.io part and missing the question

you need to read those links and related themes, to understand the answer and what you will need to do to try doing what you want.

not everything will work, but some programs will if you use lutris. lutris has a lot of options, but also helps to make things more obvious and easy.

also you can try luck with wine (wine "bottles", are like different versions of wine), but usually trying to install and run games with it and testing manual fixes takes more time, and is a "hit or miss" deal. this could be closer to "expert mode", so imo better check lutris and read what other have tried with the programs you would like to run.