WinBox is a powerful graphical utility designed for configuring MikroTik RouterOS devices. Although it was originally built for Windows, MikroTik now provides a native 64-bit Linux version. This guide will walk you through the complete process of installing WinBox on FunOS, including creating a symbolic link, a menu entry, and how to uninstall it if needed. This method ensures WinBox integrates smoothly into your desktop environment.
What is WinBox?
WinBox is a small yet efficient configuration tool created by MikroTik for managing RouterOS-based devices. It provides a user-friendly interface to monitor, configure, and manage MikroTik routers using a point-and-click graphical interface instead of relying solely on the command line or web interface.
Originally available only for Windows, MikroTik now also provides a Linux-compatible version, making it accessible to FunOS users who prefer a lightweight, stable, and Ubuntu-based desktop environment.
How to Install WinBox on FunOS
Follow the steps below to install and integrate WinBox into your FunOS system.
Step 1: Download the WinBox .zip File
1. Visit the MikroTik download page.
2. Click the “WinBox” button.
3. In the dropdown menu, select “Linux (64-bit)”.
4. Save the downloaded file (WinBox_Linux.zip) in your Downloads directory.
Step 2: Open a Terminal
You can open the Terminal using one of the following methods:
- Click the Menu button in the bottom-left corner, then click Terminal.
- Click the Terminal icon in the Tray.
- Press Ctrl + Alt + T on your keyboard.
Step 3: Navigate to the Downloads Directory
In the terminal, run:
cd ~/DownloadsStep 4: Extract the .zip File
Create the destination folder and extract the archive:
mkdir -p ~/.WinBox_Linux
unzip WinBox_Linux.zip -d ~/.WinBox_LinuxStep 5: Navigate Back to the Home Directory
Return to your home directory:
cdStep 6: Create a Symbolic Link to the WinBox Executable
This allows you to launch WinBox from the terminal or from the application menu:
mkdir -p ~/.local/bin
ln -sf ~/.WinBox_Linux/WinBox ~/.local/bin/winboxStep 7: Create a Desktop Entry for WinBox
This adds WinBox to your application menu.
Run:
mkdir -p ~/.local/share/applications
mousepad ~/.local/share/applications/winbox.desktopPaste the following into the file:
[Desktop Entry]
Name=WinBox
Comment=RouterOS Configuration Tool
Exec=winbox
Icon=winbox
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Network;Save and close Mousepad.
Step 8: Remove the Downloaded .zip File
Once installation is complete, you can delete the original ZIP file:
rm -f ~/Downloads/WinBox_Linux.zipStep 9: Reload the Menu
To see WinBox in the application menu:
- Click the Menu button in the bottom-left corner.
- Click Reload menu.
Launching WinBox
After reloading the menu, go to:
Menu > Internet > WinBox
You can also launch it via the terminal by typing:
winboxHow to Uninstall WinBox on FunOS
If you ever want to remove WinBox, follow these steps.
Step 1: Open a Terminal
Open a terminal window using your preferred method.
Step 2: Remove the WinBox Directory
This removes the program files:
rm -rf ~/.WinBox_LinuxStep 3: Remove the Symbolic Link
Remove the command-line shortcut:
rm -f ~/.local/bin/winboxStep 4: Remove the Desktop Entry
This removes the menu item:
rm -f ~/.local/share/applications/winbox.desktopStep 5: Remove User Data (Optional)
If you’ve used WinBox, it may have saved cache or configuration files:
rm -rf ~/.cache/MikroTik
rm -rf ~/.local/share/MikroTikStep 6: Reload the Menu
- Click the Menu button in the lower-left corner.
- Click Reload menu.
Conclusion
Installing WinBox on FunOS is simple and straightforward thanks to MikroTik’s native Linux version. By following the steps above, you can integrate WinBox into your system seamlessly—adding both command-line and menu-based access. Whether you’re a network administrator or a MikroTik enthusiast, this setup ensures you have the tools you need to manage RouterOS devices efficiently. If you ever decide to uninstall it, cleanup is just as easy.
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