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ProtonUp-Qt 2.13.0 was released on July 16, 2025. It added the Protok-Tkg NTSYNC and Proton-Sarek compatibility-tool entries, and fixed GE-Proton handling for Lutris, including the Lutris icon and application ID. It is a runner-management update—not a new Proton engine and not a guarantee that games will run better.
For a new installation in 2026, use the latest supported ProtonUp-Qt release rather than pinning to 2.13: the official release page lists v2.15.1 from June 24, 2026. Version 2.13 remains relevant if you specifically need to understand or reproduce those tool additions and Lutris fixes.
What ProtonUp-Qt does
ProtonUp-Qt is an open-source Qt/Python graphical manager for installing and updating third-party Proton and Wine-based compatibility tools. Instead of manually downloading archives, extracting them, and finding the correct launcher directory, you select a launcher target and install a runner from the application.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsIt is useful for Steam users who test builds such as GE-Proton, Lutris users who need Wine or Proton runners, and Steam Deck or other handheld owners who prefer a graphical, controller-friendly workflow. The project also supports targets such as Heroic Games Launcher and Bottles as integration support changes between releases.
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ProtonUp-Qt does not replace Steam, Lutris, Wine, Proton, your graphics drivers, or the operating system. It manages the tools those launchers can use. Whether a game works still depends on the title, runner version, prefix, Vulkan stack, hardware, anti-cheat configuration, and launcher settings.
What changed in version 2.13
- Protok-Tkg NTSYNC added. This is the exact spelling used in the official changelog. ProtonUp-Qt lists it as an installable compatibility-tool option; the release note does not make general performance or compatibility claims.
- Proton-Sarek added. It is another selectable tool entry. Its inclusion does not establish that it is better than Valve Proton or GE-Proton.
- GE-Proton for Lutris fixed. The update improved ProtonUp-Qt’s handling of GE-Proton when Lutris is the destination.
- Lutris icon and application ID corrected. This is an integration and identification fix, not a new Lutris game engine.
The official details are in the v2.13.0 release notes. Contemporary coverage also described the update as a Lutris-support improvement, but there are no supplied game benchmarks showing frame-rate gains, less stutter, or universally higher launch success.
Steam: install a runner, then select it per game
- Open ProtonUp-Qt and choose the Steam installation shown by the application.
- Click Add version (or the equivalent control in your build).
- Choose the compatibility-tool family and version, then install it.
- Close and reopen Steam if the tool does not appear immediately.
- In the game’s Steam properties, enable the option to force a particular Steam Play compatibility tool and select the newly installed runner.
Steam’s labels can change, so use the current client wording. A runner installed for Steam is not automatically installed for Lutris. Native Steam and Flatpak Steam can also use different locations and permissions; selecting the wrong target is a common reason a tool appears to install successfully but never appears in Steam.
Valve’s built-in Proton is often the best first choice. A custom runner is worth testing when a specific game needs an older or experimental build, works better with GE-Proton, or benefits from tools such as SteamTinkerLaunch or Luxtorpeda. Keep a known-good version installed so you can roll back.
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Lutris: choose Lutris as the destination
- Open ProtonUp-Qt and explicitly select the Lutris target.
- Choose the relevant runner category and a supported Wine or Proton build.
- Install it, then restart or refresh Lutris.
- Open the game’s configuration in Lutris and select the installed runner under its runner options.
- Test the game. If it regresses, switch back to the previous runner.
Version 2.13’s GE-Proton and Lutris icon/application-ID fixes make this target-handling path more reliable. They do not mean Lutris will automatically detect every runner or that a game prefix will be reconfigured for you. Existing DLL overrides, prefix settings, Flatpak sandbox boundaries, or an unsupported runner layout can still prevent detection or launch.
Installation options
Flatpak
The project is available through Flathub under the application ID net.davidotek.pupgui2. Install it from your distribution’s software center or use the command shown by the current Flathub listing. Flatpak is convenient, but native and Flatpak applications do not necessarily share runner directories; mixed Steam, Lutris, and ProtonUp-Qt installations need compatible access to those locations.
AppImage
Download the portable AppImage from the project’s GitHub Releases page. In a terminal opened in the download directory:
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chmod +x ProtonUp-Qt*.AppImage
./ProtonUp-Qt*.AppImageThe wildcard assumes the file is in ~/Downloads; use the actual filename if it is elsewhere. The official website documents the executable-permission step at davidotek.github.io/protonup-qt.
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Distribution packages
Arch-based distributions may offer community packages such as an AUR build. Package freshness and integration depend on the distributor, so check which ProtonUp-Qt version you are actually installing.
Troubleshooting
The tool is missing from Steam
- Exit Steam completely and reopen it.
- In ProtonUp-Qt, verify that you selected the correct Steam installation.
- Reinstall the tool if the download was interrupted.
- Check again in the game’s compatibility-tool selector.
Do not assume one universal directory: native Steam, Flatpak Steam, and custom installations can use different paths.
The runner is missing from Lutris
Confirm that you selected Lutris rather than Steam, restart Lutris, and check the game’s runner options. If the runner still is not visible, verify that your Lutris packaging can access the installation directory and that the runner type is supported by your Lutris version.
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The game launches worse
Newest does not mean best for every title. Revert to the previous runner, test Valve Proton or a known-good GE-Proton build, and consult game-specific reports on ProtonDB or the runner project’s issue tracker. ProtonUp-Qt’s support guidance directs runtime problems to the individual compatibility-tool projects.
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Anti-cheat or multiplayer still fails
Installing Protok-Tkg NTSYNC, Proton-Sarek, or GE-Proton is not a promise of multiplayer support. Anti-cheat behavior depends on the developer’s configuration and the entire compatibility stack.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is ProtonUp-Qt 2.13 worth installing?
Use it when you want a GUI for runner management, need to test one of the two newly listed tools, or experienced GE-Proton/Lutris integration problems addressed by this release. It is less compelling if you only use Valve’s built-in Proton and have no need for alternative runners.
For a fresh setup, install the newest ProtonUp-Qt release that supports your distribution. Choose 2.13 specifically only when compatibility with an older setup or reproduction of its tool set matters. In every case, treat a listed runner as an option to test—not as an automatic fix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ProtonUp-Qt 2.13 install Proton itself?
It installs and manages third-party Proton- and Wine-based compatibility tools for supported launchers. It does not replace Valve Proton, Steam, Lutris, or the operating system.
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Are Protok-Tkg NTSYNC and Proton-Sarek guaranteed to improve games?
No. Version 2.13 makes them available as selectable tools, but the release notes provide no universal performance or compatibility guarantee. Results are game- and configuration-specific.
Why can Steam see a runner while Lutris cannot?
Steam and Lutris are separate installation targets and may use different directories or sandbox permissions. Install the runner for the launcher that will run the game, then restart or refresh that launcher.
The Bottom Line
ProtonUp-Qt 2.13 is a useful, incremental runner-manager release: it adds Protok-Tkg NTSYNC and Proton-Sarek and repairs parts of the GE-Proton/Lutris integration. It expands your testing options, but it does not make games compatible by itself. In 2026, install the current ProtonUp-Qt release unless you specifically need 2.13’s historical tool set.
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