Winapps is a virtualization bridge that allows Windows applications to run on a Linux desktop as if they were native. It uses the Remote Desktop Protocol to stream individual application windows from a background virtual machine or remote server, avoiding the need for a full virtual machine window.
The system identifies installed software by scanning the guest registry to automatically generate native desktop shortcuts and icons. It integrates these applications into the local desktop environment, including the mapping of executables to desktop entries and the configuration of file manager context menus.
The project further coordinates the user experience through shared-folder integration for cross-operating system file access and the use of shell wrappers to trigger remote application launches. It also supports native file associations to open specific file types using the remote software.