WSL 1.0 is now available on the Microsoft Store; discover Linux for Windows

A Microsoft announced that the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) got a new stable version on the Microsoft Store. Now available for Windows 10 and 11 customers, the update brings some changes to the solution. In addition Microsoft has stated that it will be ceasing to provide WSL as an optional component of the operating system.

Although both versions (optional component and the one available from Microsoft Store) provide the same user experience, with the second option being the default, users will get faster updates and maintenance (as they become available) instead of waiting for an OS update Windows.

Furthermore, following customer requests, all users of the Windows 10 can now use Linux GUI applications after upgrading to the latest Microsoft Store. “Today, the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) in the Microsoft Store is dropping its 'preview' label and becoming available to all Windows 10 and 11 users”, said Craig Loewen, Windows Development Platform Program Manager.

Finally, another note in the recompile details guides the use of an override in generator.early to prevent the /tmp/.X11-unix socket from being removed during boot. "Do not create a pty for systemd to fix the issue where systemd would timeout during boot", says the update note.

A Microsoft launched the WSL in 2018 as a service that allows users of the Windows run binaries from Linux on their computers natively, using PowerShell or a command prompt from Windows 10🇧🇷 A year later, in 2019, the company launched the WSL 2, a notable update that significantly increased file system performance by adding support for full system call compatibility and using a Linux kernel running in a virtual machine.

What is Windows Subsystem for Linux?

The Subsystem of Windows all with Linux allows developers to run a GNU/Linux environment, including most command-line tools, utilities and applications, directly on Windows, without modifications and without the overhead of a traditional virtual machine or dualboot installation.

The solution brings greater versatility to IT professionals, for example. If you need to do a quick test or run a command line, system utilities and applications, you don't need to start a virtual machine with Linux – just run WSL. Furthermore, the subsystem can be used even in the Windows Server 2022, not limited to Windows 10 and 11.

Already WSL 2 is a new version of the Windows Subsystem for Linux architecture that enables the Windows Subsystem for Linux to run ELF64 Linux binaries on Windows🇧🇷 Its main goals are to increase file system performance and add complete system call compatibility.

This new architecture changes how these Linux binaries interact with Windows and computer hardware, but still provides the same user experience as in WSL 1 (the current widely available version).

Individual Linux distributions can run either the WSL 1 or WSL 2 architecture. Each distribution can be upgraded or downgraded at any time, and you can run WSL 1 and WSL 2 distributions side by side. WSL 2 uses an entirely new architecture that benefits from using a real Linux kernel.

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Cheaper version of Windows 11 may arrive with ads and cloud solutions. Understand.

Sources: Microsoft.