This first section is more of a filler. I myself have done this on Ubuntu, Mint, as well as Arch Linux and it worked out perfectly fine and should follow the same steps. I myself am currently playing from EndevourOS (Arch) and it works perfectly. You can freely use your distro of choice.

There are two paths you can use. Within Steam you could simply run FFXI under Proton, any of the 7.0's and under should work. Some users have had luck with 9.0s.


For the (in my opinion) best way to get the game working, let alone with Windower under Linux you only need a few things.

1:Lutris
2:Game Mode (optional)
3:Time

This is very dependent on your Distro of choice.


Under Arch, simply open your terminal and type in the command 'yay -S lutris' without the ' and follow the install prompts. You're done.


Under Ubuntu it is more of the same but with different commands. Open your terminal and type in ' sudo add-apt-repository ppa:lutris-team/lutris' and follow the prompts.
After those prompts follow it up with ' sudo apt update' and then a ' sudo apt install lutris'


Under Mint it's quite different. Or it's at least advised to do so differently. Simply follow this link https://github.com/lutris/lutris/releases and download the .deb and install!

***I am aware there are other distros that may have different package managers, i am unfamiliar with them and cannot provide those commands***

Discover/Flathub install

If you do not wish to use a command line to install Lutris you can also do so through Discover, or alternatively your Distros built in alternative to Discover. Some distros come preinstalled with a way to get Flathub packages. Mint and Ubuntu i know for sure have their own.

Below is Discover which i have under Arch *Just in case*


***DISCLAIMER*** Discover may be your best bet if you are playing from a Steam Deck. But it's worth following the Arch commands i posted. I'm unsure if the Deck has yay by default. If it complains about admin privileges try 'sudo yay -S lutris' instead.

Before we search for FFXI let's do some checks first. I've had instances where Lutris does not come with the proper updates. Just in case that turns out to be the case for you, let's double check.


First, click the little Hamburger on the top of the program and click "preferences"

From here click the "Updates" tab on the left. From there scroll to the bottom and click these two buttons:

Restart the app when they're done just in case.

From here go back to the main Lutris screen and click the plus in the top left corner
Click "Search the Lutris website for installers" and type in "Final Fantasy XI Online" and click the first option (Unless XI is not on top, of course)

From this new screen scroll down until you see "Full (US) Version with D8VK" and click install.
From here follow the onscreen instructions and wait. If you receive any errors either let me know or search the code online. (Or both so i can add it to the guide)

Once that's done you will see FFXI on the homescreen. Now you'll want to do the previous steps again. But instead of clicking the install you had last time, you want "Windower 4 Live"
Once more follow these prompts.

***Both these installs may take awhile and act as if they have stalled. Be patient!***

You now have both FFXI and Windower! To not suffer confusion - Right click on both games within Lutris and hit "configure" than the "game options" tab and look at the executable. Figure out which one is Windower so you can name it properly!

Open FFXI or Windower to setup POL as per usual and let it update.

You now have access to Final Fantasy XI on Linux! Go through POL, and update the game as usual and you'll have a 1:1 experience between Windows and Linux. Congratulations! Now go grind some levels and smash in the Shadow Lords face..... Or AFK in Jeuno. I'm not your mother.

Thank you for checking out my guide. I know it does not look the most professional but i don't tend to make guides on Steam. But FFXI is so near and dear to my heart that i felt obligated to make up something quick to help Linux users play this old gem.


Please feel free to leave any problems you may have, or suggestions for my guide down below. All criticism is welcome.