The Windows Subsystem for Linux is tool that lets you install a Linux distribution on a Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer, allowing you to run some Linux tools without rebooting or firing up a traditional virtual machine.
It’s been around in one form or another since 2016, but the current version, known as WSL 2, debuted in 2019 and has been considered a “preview” ever since. Now it’s graduating to stable status with the release of WSL 2 version 1.0.0 and Microsoft says the Windows Subsystem for Linux is now generally available for Windows 10 and 11.
That means it’s generally available to the public. I mean, it already was, but now it’s considered stable enough that you won’t see a preview warning anymore.
Among other things, Microsoft says the update means that the version of WSL available from the Microsoft Store includes the default experience, complete with WSLg (Windows Subsystem for Linux GUI). That means that you don’t have to install anything extra to run apps with a graphical user interface anymore. Previously the default install of WSL only supported command-line utilities.
It also means that while you can still install WSL from a command line prompt, what you’ll get is the same version that’s available from the Microsoft Store.
Other changes in WSL 1.0 include optional support for systemd, some new options for the wsl –install, wsl –mount, wsl –import, and wsl –update commands, better error printing, and a new wsl –version command that will let you quickly see at a glance which version of the Windows System for LInux is installed.
Keep in mind that WSL is just one piece of the puzzle. Once enabled, you’ll still need to actually install a Linux distribution in order to run Linux apps. But there are a bunch of options available, including Ubuntu, Debian, Kali, and OpenSUSE.
You can find more details in Microsoft’s announcement or the company’s WSL documentation.
via Hacker News
This article was first published November 16, 2022 and most recently updated November 22, 2022.Â
This is cool and all, but what I really want is Linux subsystem for Windows. WINE isn’t it.
I can imagine ways of doing that wherein a single application from a Windows VM is piped into a remote desktop or VNC client on the Linux host. I vaguely remember reading about someone packaging Microsoft Office for Linux that way.
…But I’m not sure why you’d do that, except to have games work without a fuss, on a laptop (one that still permits GPU passthrough). Using the VM for everything but your DE is either silly, or downright scary.
You can run graphical Linux applications on Windows 10 WSL by installing a X server for Windows.
My work disables this subsystem so I still use cygwin.
I think it’s worth pointing out that while WSL 2 works on Windows 10 and 11, WSLg is only on Windows 11. I think there was talk in some github issue about backporting it to Windows 10 but I haven’t been following along.
Thanks!
Well, I’m happy to be wrong about this one!
“In response to the WSL community’s requests, WSL in the Store will now also be available on Windows 10 in addition to Windows 11. So, Windows 10 users will also be able to enjoy all of the latest features for WSL including systemd and Linux GUI app support!”
https://devblogs.microsoft.com/commandline/the-windows-subsystem-for-linux-in-the-microsoft-store-is-now-generally-available-on-windows-10-and-11/
Right? That was a little unclear when version 1.0.0 was release to GitHub, but the MS blog post spells out more details.
I am quite positively surprised by WSL. Used it for Git (before finding that there was a non-only-desktop version available for Windows too) and damn it was really fast even on my old Pro 5, which is not officially supported by Windows 11.