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umu-launcher
What it is
umu-launcher is a Linux tool for launching Windows games through Proton outside Steam. It can run games without Steam or Steam binaries installed, and downloads the Steam Runtime Proton needs, storing it under $HOME/.local/share/umu. You can use UMU-Proton, select a Proton directory or version, or have umu download GE-Proton. When supported, Lutris, Heroic Games Launcher, Bottles, and Rare can use it. Clients can apply game fixes from a shared online database using a game ID and store value. Launch settings can come from environment variables or a TOML configuration file, and you can set a WINE prefix path or use the default under $HOME/Games/umu. The command-line interface can run Winetricks verbs with GE-Proton or UMU-Proton. For native Linux games, UMU_NO_PROTON runs an executable inside the Steam Linux Runtime. Installation options include packages for Nobara, Arch Linux, and Nix, Linux packages from GitHub releases, or building from source. The project is GPL-3.0 licensed and welcomes contributions.
For and against
For
- Runs games without Steam or Steam binaries
- Supports UMU-Proton, GE-Proton, and specified Proton versions
- Uses shared game fixes selected by game ID and store
- Offers packages and source installation options
Against
- Linux platform only
- Some launchers can use umu only when supported
- Winetricks verbs require GE-Proton or UMU-Proton
The verdict
umu-launcher provides several ways to select Proton and configure game launches on Linux, with optional launcher integrations and shared game fixes. It is free and open source under GPL-3.0.
Who it suits
It suits Linux users who want to run Windows games through Proton outside Steam, including through supported launchers. It also offers a native launch option for Linux games.
Plans and prices
umu-launcher
No price listed · GPL-3.0 licensed open-source software
Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Additional tool
- The command-line interface can run winetricks verbs when GE-Proton or UMU-Proton is used.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- Games can be launched with environment variables or a TOML configuration file.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Distribution packages
- The README lists installation through Nobara, Arch Linux, and Nix; GitHub releases also provide Linux packages.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Game fixes
- The launcher uses a unified online database of game fixes, selected with game ID and store settings.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The README documents distribution packages for Nobara, Arch Linux, and Nix, as well as building from source.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Install options
- The project documents distribution packages, user and system builds, uv setup, and a Nix package and flake.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Launcher integrations
- The documentation names Lutris, Heroic Games Launcher, Bottles, and Rare as clients that can use umu when supported.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Launcher support
- The project names Lutris, Heroic Games Launcher, Bottles, and Rare as clients that can use umu.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- License
- The GitHub repository identifies the project license as GPL-3.0.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Logging
- UMU_LOG enables launcher debug logs, and the README recommends attaching logs when reporting game failures.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Maintainers
- The manual says umu is maintained by Open Wine Components members with help from other open-source contributors.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Native games
- The UMU_NO_PROTON option runs an executable natively inside the Steam Linux Runtime, and the documentation says it is intended for native Linux games.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Prefix configuration
- Users can set a WINE prefix path; otherwise umu uses a default path under $HOME/Games/umu.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Proton fixes
- Clients can use a unified online database of game fixes, and umu applies fixes using a game ID and store value.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Proton selection
- Users can specify a Proton directory or version, use GE-Proton, or use UMU-Proton by default.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Proton versions
- umu-run can use UMU-Proton by default, a specified Proton directory or version, or automatically download GE-Proton.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- umu is a unified launcher for running Windows games on Linux through Proton outside the Steam client.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Runtime
- It automatically downloads the Steam Runtime required by Proton and stores its files under $HOME/.local/share/umu.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
