CrossOver is software that allows you to run Windows programs on non-Windows operating systems including Linux, Chrome OS, and macOS.

But one problem with that last part is that an awful lot of Windows applications are 32-bit… and even many 64-bit apps have 32-bit installers. So when dropped support for 32-bit apps with the launch of macOS Catalina, the folks at CodeWeavers (the company that developers CrossOver) had to come up with some workarounds.

And they did… which brings us to CrossOver 19 which was released this week.

The update allows 32-bit code to run in 64-bit processes and make calls to 64-bit system libraries. The end result is that while you can’t run 32-bit macOS apps on Catalina, you can now run 32-bit Windows apps.

Go figure.

You’ll have to pay though — CrossOver is commercial software with prices starting at $40 for a one-time license (with no support or upgrades) or $60 for a 1-year license (with support and upgrades). CodeWeavers is offering 40-percent off those prices for customers who use the code “Miracle!” at checkout by December 17th at 11:59PM though.

Or you could wait to see if 32-bit compatibility to make its way to WINE, the free and open source software that CrossOver is based on.

 

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4 replies on “CrossOver 19 runs 32-bit Windows apps on 64-bit only macOS Catalina”

  1. I was living under a rock, and allowed Catalina to install (after a hundred prompts).
    And it broke some things, whilst barely giving any improvement, there’s really no iPad Apps on there (and none that I’m interested in waiting). But I didn’t realise the update came at the expense of 32-bit compatibility.

    I wish I knew. There’s a whole group of people that have decided to stick to Mohave for 18 months, which seems like enough time for a proper update-successor to come, and developers to finish porting over their programs. And if nothing, it would be enough time for many VM to come mainstream to support the non-ported 32bit applications, and do it without compromising as much on the performance and battery life.

  2. I’m an existing user of Crossover. It provides some nice features over Wine such as the ability to create multiple sand-boxed Windows environments to install software into.

  3. Interesting how it even has box art at all.
    It’s not the most exorbitantly priced piece of software, especially if you’re a business who doesn’t have time to waste on configuring wine prefixes and might need help getting some software set up. That could be three+ hours of the IT guy’s labor you don’t have to pay for.

    1. Agreed, and some of the marketing on their site makes me cringe.

      That added ease-of-use is why I’m happy to pay for Crossover when straight Wine would likely work just as well in many cases. There are a few legacy Windows applications I was unable to get running a few years ago which work in Crossover.

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