TDF
What it is
TDF is a free GNU/Linux tool for installing, packaging, and running Windows games outside Steam, including GOG installers, ISOs, and repacks. It is portable and requires no installation. TDF includes game-optimized and regular Wine builds, and users can also select system or custom Wine versions. Its graphics components cover DirectX 3 through 12: D7VK supports DirectX 3–7, DXVK supports DirectX 8–11, and VKD3D-Proton supports DirectX 12. Games run in isolation using bubblewrap and Linux namespaces, with file and network access blocked by default. Instances can be archived for transfer or redistribution using the run.sh archive command. The manual says about 90% of games work out of the box, while some need configuration changes. TDF requires an x86_64 CPU and a GPU supporting Vulkan 1.3 or newer; it recommends Linux kernel 6.14 or newer and an SSD. Online games requiring anti-cheat usually will not work. The project warns that sandboxing cannot rule out exploits in the kernel, drivers, or bubblewrap, and recommends a hardened virtual machine for malware testing.
For and against
For
- Portable tool requires no installation
- Supports GOG installers, ISOs, and repacks
- Blocks file and network access by default
- Can archive instances for transfer or redistribution
Against
- Online games requiring anti-cheat usually will not work
- Requires x86_64 and Vulkan 1.3 or newer
- Sandboxing does not rule out kernel or driver exploits
- Some games require configuration changes
The verdict
TDF combines Windows-game compatibility components with default isolation for GNU/Linux users. Its hardware requirements, anti-cheat limitation, and security caveat matter before choosing it.
Who it suits
TDF is aimed at advanced GNU/Linux users who want to run Windows games from outside Steam with more sandboxing than Lutris or Bottles. It is not a fit for users whose online games depend on anti-cheat software.
Plans and prices
TDF
GNU/Linux only · x86_64 CPU · GPU with Vulkan 1.3 or newer
Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Compatibility
- The manual says about 90% of games work out of the box, while some require configuration changes.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limit
- The manual says online games that require anti-cheat software will usually not work.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Game sources
- TDF is intended for games outside Steam, including GOG installers, ISOs, and repacks.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Graphics support
- TDF includes Wine builds, DXVK, VKD3D-Proton, and D7VK for Windows game compatibility across DirectX versions.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Graphics translation
- TDF includes DXVK for DirectX 8–11, VKD3D-Proton for DirectX 12, and D7VK for DirectX 3–7.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- TDF is aimed at advanced users who want more sandboxing than Lutris or Bottles.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- License
- TDF code is distributed under GNU GPL v3, while a built version may contain components under multiple licenses, including proprietary ones.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Online game limit
- Online games requiring anti-cheat software usually will not work.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Packaging
- Users can archive a TDF instance for transfer or redistribution using the run.sh archive command.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Portable
- The project describes TDF as a portable version of Proton that requires no installation.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- TDF helps users install, package, and safely run Windows games on GNU/Linux.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- TDF requires an x86_64 CPU and a GPU supporting Vulkan 1.3 or newer; the project recommends a recent Linux kernel and an SSD.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Sandbox
- TDF uses bubblewrap and Linux namespaces to isolate games, with file and network access blocked by default.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Security caveat
- The project warns that sandboxed games may still exploit the kernel, drivers, or bubblewrap, and recommends a hardened virtual machine for malware testing.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Steam alternatives
- It supports installing games outside Steam, including GOG installers, ISOs, and repacks.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Storage requirement
- The manual recommends an SSD and warns against NTFS, FAT, or exFAT for TDF instances.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Support and maintenance
- The maker's GitHub profile says the developer is working full time and that projects are pretty much on hold.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Support status
- The maker's GitHub profile says he is working full time and that his projects are mostly on hold.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
