Windows program on Linux ? Proxmox with Bottles or Windows ?

It was 20 years ago I used Windows but having an old Actisense NGT-1, NMEA 2000 interface, where I had to update the firmware made it inpossible to avoid. 

Of course I could have used some friends Windows PC but it's not the same challange. 😉

Linux Bottles is a free tool that lets you run Windows programs and games on Linux. It makes Wine easy to use by organizing separate virtual environments, called bottles, with a simple screen.

And maybe Windows don't need an any intro ..... ?

Bottles

Key Features

• Virtual Environments: Keeps each Windows app safe and separate in its own container, Flatpak, (bottle).
• Easy Fixes: Automatically downloads needed Windows files like .NET and Visual C++.
• Gaming Ready: Works well with game stores and Proton layers. 

Main Tools

• Runner Manager: Changes the compatibility layer version easily.
• Task Manager: Checks and stops programs that freeze.
• Backup Tool: Saves and restores your virtual bottles.

Short install help

I created a debian 13 VM/Guest, without Desktop, in Proxmox and then 

apt install xfce4 => Lightweight Desktop, reboot and the GUI will appear in the console

apt install flatpak

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

flatpak install flathub com.usebottles.bottles

and then start the application via the Desktop.

Windows 

In Proxmox I created the Windows VM and I will not write down any info about that ..... there are several guides about that on the WEB. The only reflection after the installation is that Windows 11 is really a big and heavy application.....

Conclusion

Sorry to say I couldn't get the Actisense Toolkit software to discover the USB NGT-1 so had to use the Windos VM instead.

I tested some other applications in the Bottles environment and it worked just fine.