While tools exist to automate the wrapping of a .exe into a .deb package, the result is a hybrid solution—a Windows program living inside a Linux costume. For the average user, the best course of action is often not conversion, but rather utilizing the growing libraries of native Linux software or embracing modern container technologies that bridge the gap without the need for complex re-engineering.

However, you can achieve your goal by either the Windows app in a Debian package or using compatibility tools to run it on Linux.

sudo apt install debhelper build-essential fakeroot

: To make a true Linux version of a Windows program, you typically need the original source code to recompile it for Linux. 2. Best Alternative: Using WINE Instead of converting the file, most users use WINE (Wine Is Not an Emulator)

Before going through this entire process, consider:

This method is hit-or-miss for EXE files. Alien is generally better suited for converting existing Linux packages rather than cross-platform binaries. Method 2: Creating a Wrapper with "Debtap"