¶ Installing and Using BoxedWine on Xbox (Developer Mode)
This guide explains how to install and run BoxedWine, a Windows application emulator, on an Xbox Series S/X console in Developer Mode. BoxedWine allows you to run 32-bit Windows applications and games. This guide is based on a YouTube tutorial by ReviveMe (https://www.youtube.com/@ReviveMe).
Before you begin, you must have the following:
- Xbox in Developer Mode: This is absolutely essential. DevModeSetup
- External Storage: A USB flash drive or external hard drive. This drive must be properly formatted for use with the Xbox in Developer Mode.
- A PC (Windows Recommended): You'll need a computer to download files, prepare the external drive, and remotely manage your Xbox.
- BoxedWine Files: These are downloaded from https://xbdev.store/
- (Optional) 32-bit Windows Application: This is used to test BoxedWine. The application's files (.exe, .msi, or .bat, and any required dependencies) must be compressed into a .zip file.
The installation process is divided into three main parts:
¶ Part 1: Downloading and Preparing Files (on your PC)
-
Download BoxedWine:
- Open a web browser and go to the "Xbox Dev Store" website.
- Navigate to the section labeled "Emulators".
- Locate "BoxedWine". The description should mention "Runs 32-bit apps and games..."
- Click the "Download" button. This will download a file named
boxwine.zip.
-
Prepare your 32-bit Application (Example: Space Cadet Pinball):
- This guide uses "Space Cadet Pinball" as an example, but you can use any 32-bit Windows application.
- CRITICAL: All files related to your chosen application (the executable file - .exe, along with any necessary .dll files or other supporting files) must be compressed together into a single .zip file. If you have an installer (.msi) or a batch file (.bat), these should also be included in the .zip file. This is a mandatory requirement for BoxedWine to function correctly.
-
Create Folder Structure on External Drive:
- Connect your external drive to your PC.
- Create a new folder on the external drive. The original tutorial uses the name "boxwine", but you can choose any name you prefer. This is where your application will reside.
- Copy the .zip file containing your 32-bit application into this newly created folder.
- Safely eject the external drive from your PC.
-
Extract the BoxedWine .zip File:
- On your PC, locate the
boxwine.zip file you downloaded.
- Right-click on the file and choose "Extract All..." (or use the equivalent extraction option provided by your .zip utility). Extract the contents to a new folder (e.g., a folder also named "boxwine"). Do not attempt to install directly from the .zip archive.
- After extraction, you should find files including
boxwine.msixbundle and a Dependencies folder within the extracted folder.
-
Enable Developer Portal on Your Xbox:
- On your Xbox, navigate to the settings for Developer Mode.
- Locate and click on "Remote Access Settings".
- Enable the option labeled "Xbox Dev Portal".
- IMPORTANT: Take a screenshot or carefully write down the two web addresses (URLs) that are displayed. These URLs are crucial for accessing your Xbox remotely from your PC.
- Optional (but recommended): The original tutorial suggests leaving the "Authentication" option (username/password) unchecked. This simplifies access to the portal.
- Keep your Xbox on this settings screen.
-
Access the Xbox Device Portal from Your PC:
- Open a web browser on your PC.
- In the address bar, type one of the URLs you recorded from your Xbox (the ones you just wrote down or screenshotted). Ensure that you include
https:// at the beginning of the URL.
- You will likely encounter a security warning (e.g., "Your connection is not private"). Click on "Advanced" and then choose "Proceed" (or the corresponding option in your browser) to bypass the warning.
-
Install BoxedWine:
- Once you are in the Xbox Device Portal (in your web browser), locate the "My games & apps" section.
- Click the "Add" button.
- Click "Choose file" (or a similarly labeled button) and navigate to the extracted
boxwine folder on your PC (where you extracted boxwine.zip).
- Select the
boxwine.msixbundle file and click "Open".
- Click "Next".
-
Install Dependencies:
- The portal will prompt you to "Choose any necessary dependencies".
- Click "Choose file" again.
- Navigate to the
Dependencies folder inside the extracted boxwine folder, and then go into the x64 folder.
- CRITICAL: You must add all five dependency files, and you must do it one by one. Select each file individually and click "Open" for each one.
- After all five dependencies have been added, click "Start".
-
Wait for Installation to Complete:
- The installation process will take some time. Wait until you see the message "Package successfully registered".
- Click "Done".
- You can now close the Xbox Device Portal in your web browser.
¶ Part 3: Configuring and Running BoxedWine on Your Xbox
-
Set BoxedWine to "Game" Mode:
- Back on your Xbox, find BoxedWine in your list of applications.
- Press the "Select" button (or the equivalent menu button) on your Xbox controller.
- Choose "View details".
- Change the application type from "App" to "Game". If it's already set to "Game", you can skip this step.
- Exit the details screen.
-
Launch BoxedWine:
- Select and open the BoxedWine application.
-
(Optional) Explore Settings:
- BoxedWine offers various settings that you can adjust:
- OS and Wine version selection
- Graphics settings (including the renderer)
- Performance settings (including frame skip)
- Sound and execution options
- Environmental variables
- Experiment with these settings, especially if you encounter performance issues.
-
Select Your 32-bit Application:
- Connect your external drive (containing your application's .zip file) to your Xbox.
- Within BoxedWine, choose the option labeled "Select ZIP".
- Navigate to your external drive.
- Locate the folder you created earlier (e.g., "boxwine").
- Select the .zip file that contains your 32-bit application.
- You should see a message confirming the file selection.
-
Launch the Application:
- Choose "Launchbox Wine."
- Important: The application will not start immediately. Proceed to the next step.
-
Run the Application (Critical Steps):
- Within the BoxedWine interface, click the "Start" button (located in the bottom-left corner).
- Click "Run".
- Click "Browse".
- Click the dropdown arrow next to the "username" field. Wait for it to load.
- Select the entry that consists of only a dash (
-).
- Navigate to the
mnt folder, and then to drive_d.
- You should now see your application's folder (the one with the same name as your zip file). Click on it.
- Locate the executable file (e.g.,
pinball.exe) within that folder.
- Click "Open".
- Click "OK".
-
Wait for Application Startup:
- The application should now launch. Be patient, as it may take a few moments.
-
Input Method: The original video mentions that there is no controller support at this time. You must use a keyboard. Connect a USB keyboard to interact with your application.
¶ Troubleshooting and Notes
- Compatibility: It is important to understand that not all 32-bit applications will be compatible with BoxedWine. The original tutorial suggests creating a compatibility list to track which applications work and which do not.
- Performance: As this is an early version of BoxedWine, expect "bugs, stutters, and lags". You may be able to improve performance by adjusting the frame skip and renderer settings.
- File Structure: Adhere strictly to the folder structure and .zip file requirements outlined in this guide. Deviations may cause the application to fail.