How to Install and Run the Latest Winbox on Ubuntu (Complete Guide)

If you’re using a MikroTik Router, configuring it will be much easier with Winbox. Since Winbox isn’t installed by default on Ubuntu, you can install it using the official Winbox file from MikroTik, allowing you to use the latest version without relying on third-party packages.

MikroTik also provides a Linux version of Winbox that can run on almost all popular Linux distributions such as Linux Mint, Debian, Fedora, Arch Linux, and others, making the installation process quite simple and without requiring many additional dependencies. Even Winbox 4.0 and the 4.1 beta run perfectly on Ubuntu, so you can easily try the newest features MikroTik is developing.

If you’re specifically looking for how to install the new Winbox beta on Linux, the process is essentially the same as installing the stable release. The Linux build provided by MikroTik already supports these newer beta versions, which means you can test upcoming improvements on Ubuntu or other distros without any special configuration.

In this guide, the Linux Simplify team will show you how to install, how to run, and share a few basic tips to ensure Winbox works smoothly on Ubuntu, including how to handle minor issues that may appear when running it for the first time.

System Requirements to Install Winbox on Ubuntu

Before you start the installation, make sure your Ubuntu system meets the basic requirements. Winbox for Linux runs well on Ubuntu 20.04, 22.04, or newer versions, and of course it requires a 64-bit system. 

There aren’t any complicated requirements, but it’s better if your system is already up to date so the installation process and running Winbox can go smoothly without small issues popping up.

Item	Requirement	Description
Ubuntu Version	20.04, 22.04, or newer	Other versions usually work fine
Architecture	64-bit	Winbox Linux doesn't support 32-bit
RAM	Minimum 1 GB	More RAM gives smoother experience
Storage	5–20 MB	Winbox is very lightweight
Internet	Not required	Only needed when accessing routers
Dependencies	No special dependencies	Just keep the system updated
Permissions	Normal user account	No root needed
Winbox Versions	4.0, 4.1 Beta, and newer	All Linux builds from MikroTik work

Download Winbox for Linux (Latest Version)

If you want to start the installation, you can download the latest Winbox for Linux directly from the official MikroTik website. Currently, MikroTik provides the Linux build in a .zip format instead of the older .tar.gz package. Inside the file, you will find an assets folder and the main WinBox file that you can run immediately without installing anything else.

You can grab the newest Winbox release, whether it's Winbox 4.0 or the 4.1 beta, and simply extract the .zip file. After extracting, you will see the folder structure containing the WinBox executable, and it’s ready to run right away. This method is very simple because there are no additional dependencies needed. Just download, extract, and run.

Download WinBox Beta for Linux

After downloading the file, make sure to place it somewhere easy to access, like the Downloads folder, so you can extract and run it without any confusion later on. 

New Ubuntu Users and the Winbox Beta Version

Many users who are just starting to use Ubuntu, including those on Ubuntu 24.04, often get confused when trying to install the latest Winbox beta version, mainly because there isn’t much information available out there. 

In reality, the installation process is very simple and almost the same as the stable release. MikroTik already provides the Linux version of Winbox in a .zip file that can be run immediately without any additional setup, making it easy even for beginners who have very limited Linux experience.

How to Run the Latest Version of Winbox on Ubuntu

After you finish downloading the Winbox Linux file, the first thing you need to do is extract it so the WinBox file can be used. The process is simple and doesn’t require any terminal commands, so everything can be done through Ubuntu’s default file manager.

To extract the Winbox file, just right-click on WinBox_Linux.zip and choose Extract Here or Extract to… if you want to place it in a specific folder. 

 Once the extraction is complete, you will see a folder containing the WinBox file and an assets folder. The WinBox file is the one you’ll use to run the application.

1. Open the folder you just extracted.
2. Find the file named WinBox.
3. Right-click on the file.
4. Select Run or Run as Program.
5. Wait a few seconds until Winbox opens and is ready to use.

With these steps, Winbox can run immediately without any additional setup. You can start logging into your MikroTik router right away. 

Alternative Installation: Winbox Old Version via Snap (Not for Latest Releases)

If you only need to run an older version of Winbox on Linux, there’s actually a simple alternative you can use. This method uses a community-made Snap package that’s already preconfigured, so you don’t need to extract anything or adjust additional settings. Just install it and run. However, keep in mind that this option does not support the latest Winbox releases, including Winbox 4.x and the newest beta builds. So this method is only suitable if you specifically want to use an older version.

Steps to Install the Older Winbox Version Using Snap

1. Make sure Snap is installed on your Ubuntu system. Most Ubuntu versions already include it by default.
2. Install the old Winbox package using the command below:

   sudo snap install winbox

   
   
   
3. Once the installation is finished, you can open Winbox directly from your application menu like a normal Linux app.
4. No extra configuration is needed just install it, open it, and run Winbox.

Important Note

Because this Snap package is not officially maintained by MikroTik and does not receive updates that follow the latest Winbox releases, you cannot use this method to run Winbox 4.x or any of the currently available beta versions. If you need the newest features, better performance, or full compatibility with the latest RouterOS updates, it’s still recommended to use the official installation method provided by MikroTik.

Create a Winbox Shortcut on Linux

If you want quicker access to Winbox without opening the extracted folder every time, you can create a simple desktop shortcut. This makes launching Winbox much easier, and the process is still simple even if you're not very familiar with Ubuntu.

To create a Winbox shortcut, follow these steps:

1. Open the folder where you extracted Winbox.
2. Right-click on an empty area, then choose New Document > Empty Document.
3. Name the file, for example winbox.desktop.
4. Open the file using a text editor and add the following content:

[Desktop Entry]
Name=Winbox
Exec=/path/to/your/WinBox
Type=Application
Terminal=false

Replace /path/to/your/WinBox with the actual location of your WinBox file.

5. Save the file and close the editor.
6. Right-click on the winbox.desktop file, choose Properties, and open the Permissions tab.
7. Enable Allow executing file as program.
8. Finally, double-click the file and choose Trust and Launch.

Once done, your Winbox shortcut will work just like a regular application. You can keep it on your Desktop or move it to the applications menu so it's easier to access whenever you need it.

Conclusion

Installing and running the latest version of Winbox on Ubuntu is actually very simple, even if you’re new to Linux. MikroTik already provides a Linux build in a clean and lightweight package, so you only need to download the file, extract it, and run the WinBox executable no additional setup or dependencies required. Whether you’re using Ubuntu 20.04, 22.04, or even the latest 24.04 release, Winbox works smoothly without any extra configuration.

If you only need the older Winbox version, you can still use the Snap package as a quick alternative, but keep in mind that it doesn’t support Winbox 4.x or the newest beta builds. So for the best experience and full compatibility, the official method from MikroTik remains the most reliable option.

With everything ready, you can now start managing your MikroTik routers directly from Ubuntu just as easily as on Windows simple, fast, and without any hassle.