Microsoft Donates Mono Project to WineHQ, Strengthening Cross-Platform .NET Support
In a significant move for the development of cross-platform .NET technologies, Microsoft has donated its Mono Project to WineHQ, a compatibility layer that allows Windows applications to run on POSIX-compliant platforms such as Linux, macOS, and BSD. This donation, announced on August 27, positions WineHQ as the new steward of the Mono Project, continuing its legacy of supporting .NET applications on various operating systems. The Mono Project, which has long been a key player in making .NET a cross-platform reality, will now reside under WineHQ’s management, with its repositories accessible at https://gitlab.winehq.org/wine-mono/mono.
Launched in 2001, the Mono Project was a pioneering initiative to bring the .NET framework to platforms beyond Windows, particularly Android, iOS, and Linux. Over the years, it enabled .NET applications to run on multiple operating systems, significantly broadening the reach of the platform. Jeff Schwartz from Microsoft reflected on Mono’s impact in an August 27 GitHub post, acknowledging its critical role in enabling cross-platform .NET support and its contribution to the development of modern .NET. Schwartz also recognized the efforts of those involved in Mono’s creation, highlighting the project’s role in making .NET accessible across various environments.
While the Mono Project’s most recent major release was in July 2019, the move to WineHQ signifies a new chapter in the project’s evolution. WineHQ’s stewardship will ensure that the project continues to receive attention and development, even as .NET itself has evolved into a more robust, cross-platform framework. With .NET now supporting Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile platforms like iOS and Android, Mono’s role has gradually shifted, though its contribution remains important in ensuring the compatibility of older .NET applications on non-Windows platforms.
The transition of the Mono Project to WineHQ will not immediately disrupt access to its source code. Existing repositories will remain available, although they may be archived, and binaries will continue to be accessible for up to four years. Microsoft’s acquisition of Xamarin in 2016 brought Mono under its wing, and this donation reflects a strategic decision to entrust the project’s future to an organization that has long focused on compatibility between Windows and other platforms. For developers, this donation ensures the continued evolution of Mono within the wider context of cross-platform .NET development.