Skip to main content

[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index] [List Home]
[oniro-wg] Proposal: Evaluating CrossOver for Windows Application Compatibility on HarmonyOS PCs

Dear Oniro Working Group,

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to propose a collaborative initiative between the Oniro Working Group and the OpenAtom OpenHarmony SIG to evaluate CrossOver—a commercial compatibility layer developed by CodeWeavers—as a solution for running Windows applications on HarmonyOS PCs and other OpenHarmony-based devices.

Background & Motivation

CrossOver is an enhanced version of the open-source Wine project, enabling Windows applications to run seamlessly on non-Windows platforms such as macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS. Given the growing adoption of HarmonyOS PCs and the broader OpenHarmony ecosystem, integrating CrossOver could significantly expand the range of applications available to users, including legacy enterprise software, productivity tools, and even gaming applications.

This initiative aligns with Oniro’s mission to create a versatile, open-source operating system and OpenHarmony’s goal of fostering a rich, cross-platform ecosystem. By enabling Windows application compatibility, we can attract developers, enterprises, and end-users who rely on Windows software but seek the flexibility of OpenHarmony-based devices.

Proposed Collaboration
We propose a three-phase approach to evaluate and integrate CrossOver:
Phase 1: Technical Feasibility (1-2 Months)

Engage with CodeWeavers to understand CrossOver’s architecture and requirements for HarmonyOS PCs.
Set up a test environment (x86/ARM-based devices or emulators) to run CrossOver.
Conduct initial testing with a subset of Windows applications (e.g., Microsoft Office, Notepad++, lightweight games).
Phase 2: Performance & Compatibility Testing (2-3 Months)

Develop a compatibility matrix for common Windows applications, categorizing them by functionality.
Benchmark performance (CPU, memory, FPS) and compare with native Windows or other compatibility layers.
Document and report issues to CodeWeavers and the Oniro/OpenHarmony communities for collaborative debugging.
Phase 3: Community & Ecosystem Development (Ongoing)

Publish guides, tutorials, and best practices for running CrossOver on HarmonyOS PCs.
Host developer workshops or hackathons to encourage application optimization.
Explore open-source contributions to Wine or CrossOver to benefit the broader ecosystem.

Expected Outcomes

A technical report on the feasibility, performance, and compatibility of CrossOver on HarmonyOS PCs.
A public repository with documentation, test results, and community resources.
Partnership opportunities with CodeWeavers for long-term support.
Expanded use cases for HarmonyOS PCs in enterprise, education, and consumer markets.

Source code: https://www.codeweavers.com/crossover/source
Codeweavers company website: https://www.codeweavers.com/crossover

Call to Action
We invite the Oniro WG to:

Review and approve this proposal.
Allocate resources (developers, test devices, community support).
Schedule a joint meeting with the OpenHarmony SIG and CodeWeavers to align on goals and next steps.
We believe this collaboration has the potential to strengthen the OpenHarmony ecosystem and accelerate adoption of HarmonyOS PCs. We look forward to your feedback and the opportunity to work together on this exciting initiative.

Best regards,
Benjamin Akhigbe
(on behalf of the CoreMobile team)
benjaminakhigbe@xxxxxxxxx

Back to the top