BoxedWine Guide

Guide Author: Jeen

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).

Prerequisites

Before you begin, you must have the following:

  1. Xbox in Developer Mode: This is absolutely essential. DevModeSetup
  2. External Storage: A USB flash drive or external hard drive. This drive must be properly formatted for use with the Xbox in Developer Mode.
  3. A PC (Windows Recommended): You’ll need a computer to download files, prepare the external drive, and remotely manage your Xbox.
  4. BoxedWine Files: These are downloaded from https://xbdev.store/
  5. (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.

Installation

The installation process is divided into three main parts:

Part 1: Downloading and Preparing Files (on your PC)

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

Part 2: Installing BoxedWine on Your Xbox (Using Remote Access)

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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”.
  4. 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”.
  5. 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

  1. 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.