Feature Description

1. Bridge Networking Support

Please add an option to run WinBoat in bridge mode, so the Windows instance can join the same LAN as the host.

Desired features:

Selectable network mode: nat / bridge

Ability to specify a host bridge interface (e.g., br0)

DHCP support for auto-assigned IP

Optional static IP configuration

2. Add Windows Apps to Linux Desktop (.desktop entries)

Add a simple way to register Windows applications into Linux menus via .desktop files.

Desired features:

CLI command or UI action to create a .desktop entry for a Windows app

Automatic icon extraction (convert ICO → PNG)

.desktop file stored in ~/.local/share/applications/

Exec runs the app through WinBoat

Use-Case

Allows Windows to act as a LAN device

Useful for testing servers, network tools, file sharing, discovery protocols, etc.

NAT is insufficient for some broadcast or port-visibility scenarios

Makes Windows apps feel like native Linux apps

Improves daily usability (Hyprland)

Proposed Implementation

Example config:

network:
mode: bridge
interface: br0
ip: dhcp

Example .desktop:

[Desktop Entry]
Name=Notepad++
Exec=winboat run "C:\Program Files\Notepad++\notepad++.exe"
Type=Application
Icon=~/.local/share/icons/notepadpp.png
Categories=Utility;

Notice

• I have checked the issue tracker and verified that this Feature Request has not been proposed before.
• I would like to help out implementing this feature