Steam Beta Now Runs Non-Steam Windows Apps via Proton on Linux
Valve's latest Steam Beta client update makes Windows binaries added as non-Steam titles launch through Proton automatically on Linux.
Valve has released a Steam Beta client update that makes Steam automatically run Windows binaries added as non-Steam titles with Proton on Linux. The change means Windows applications that are not games, once added to a user's library as non-Steam titles, can also be launched through Proton.
The beta patch notes also list fixes for Linux launch and stop bugs, controller issues, and a new Big Picture screensaver toggle.
Proton is translation software that Valve helped create to let games built for Windows run on Linux. The company's work on Proton is widely credited with making Linux gaming viable for a broader set of titles.
Quick answers
What does the new Steam Beta update do for Linux users?
It makes Steam automatically run Windows binaries added as non-Steam titles with Proton, so non-game Windows applications can also be launched through Proton.
What else is in the beta patch notes?
The notes include fixes for Linux launch and stop bugs, controller issues, and a Big Picture screensaver toggle.