How to Run Google Ads Editor on Linux using Bottles

For PPC specialists, media buyers, and agency professionals working on a Linux desktop, Google Ads Editor has long been a missing piece. Google officially provides desktop installers only for Windows and macOS, leaving Linux users either stuck with the slower browser interface or forced to maintain a resource-heavy Windows virtual machine just for bulk campaign edits.

Fortunately, there is a better way. Using Bottles - a modern graphical tool designed to run Windows software and games on Linux via Wine prefixes - you can run Google Ads Editor natively, reliably, and with full hardware acceleration.

In this guide, we will walk you through setting up an isolated Bottle prefix, configuring the exact .NET and runtime dependencies required, fixing high-DPI scaling, and troubleshooting account login issues.

Prerequisites: Install Bottles via Flatpak

To ensure clean dependency management and avoid conflicts with host system libraries, install the Flatpak release of Bottles from Flathub. It is the officially supported package and includes sandboxed environments optimized for Wine.

If you don’t already have Bottles installed, run:

flatpak install flathub com.usebottles.bottles

Alternatively, you can install it directly from your Linux distribution’s software center (such as GNOME Software or KDE Discover).

Step 1: Create a Dedicated Bottle

Once Bottles is open, create a clean environment dedicated to Google Ads Editor:

1. Click the + (plus) button in the top bar to create a new bottle.
2. Name: Google Ads Editor
3. Environment: Select Application (this sets up a prefix tailored for desktop software rather than games).
4. Runner: Leave it set to the default Soda runner.
5. Click Create and allow Bottles to finish initializing the prefix.

Step 2: Install Critical Windows Dependencies

Google Ads Editor relies on specific Windows runtimes and legacy UI components. Installing these in the correct sequence within the bottle is essential to avoid installation errors or startup crashes.

Open your newly created bottle, navigate to the Dependencies tab, and install the following packages one by one:

1. dotnet48: Core Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8. (Note: This can take several minutes and may appear frozen during configuration - allow it to run to completion).
2. dotnet: Select the latest version listed in your dependencies manager (e.g., dotnet481).
3. vcredist2022: Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable runtime.
4. gdiplus: Microsoft GDI+ library (required for rendering custom UI elements).
5. webview2: Microsoft Edge WebView2 runtime (essential for modern web-based OAuth authentication).

Step 3: Configure Windows Version & High-DPI Scaling

Before installing the software, tweak two quick settings in your bottle’s configuration:

Set Windows Version to 11

Under your bottle’s settings, scroll to the Windows Version section and set it to Windows 11. While older guides suggested Windows 10, Windows 11 provides better compatibility with current Google Ads Editor releases and avoids outdated TLS/certificate warnings.

Fix High-DPI Scaling (Optional but Recommended)

On 1440p or 4K monitors, Windows apps under Wine can render with tiny, unreadable fonts and UI elements.

In your bottle’s settings, open the Display section and adjust the DPI scale:

• 1440p displays: Set DPI to 144
• 4K displays: Set DPI to 192

Step 4: Download and Install Google Ads Editor (MSI)

The standard web installer (GoogleAdsEditorSetup.exe) available on Google’s website is a lightweight bootstrapper that attempts to stream installation files dynamically. This dynamic download often fails inside Wine.

Instead, download the full, direct MSI installer:

wget https://dl.google.com/adwords_editor/google_ads_editor.msi

Run the Installer

1. Inside your bottle in Bottles, click Run Executable.
2. Select the google_ads_editor.msi file you just downloaded.
3. Follow the standard installation wizard prompts until complete.
4. Once finished, you can safely delete the downloaded .msi file to save disk space.

Step 5: Launch Google Ads Editor & Sign In

If Bottles restarts or closes after installation, open it and locate the Programs section. Click the Play button next to google_ads_editor_launcher (or Google Ads Editor) to launch the application.

Conclusion

Running Google Ads Editor on Linux no longer requires spinning up a slow, memory-hogging virtual machine or dual-booting Windows. Thanks to Bottles and modern Wine compatibility layers, you can manage bulk PPC campaigns, create ad groups, import CSVs, and adjust bidding strategies with full native desktop performance.