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Microsoft supports Linux GUI apps to Windows 10
2 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
In 2016, Microsoft was announcingWindowsSubsystem forLinux– WSL. Many remember that episode as thebash on Ubuntu onWindows.
For those who are unfamiliar with WSL, the subsystemallowsWindowsusers to run native, unmodifiedLinuxcommand-line tools and apps directly inWindows, just like they were jun on aLinuxmachine.
According to Microsoft, WSL usage has grown to more than 3.5 million monthly active devices nowadays. Basically, Microsoft makes it much easier fordevelopersto run theirLinuxtools without switching or booting up toLinux.
Microsoft is improving WSL 2
One year ago, Microsoft unveiled the first preview of WSL 2, which came with new capabilities inWindows’ Hypervisor Platform to run distros and tools in containers. And that was running on a Linux kernel image built by Microsoft.
Thevirtual machineis booting from cold in less than 2s! WSL 2 delivers full system call compatibility with a real Linux kernel and is 3-6x faster compared to earlier versions of WSL.
According to theMicrosoft Deb Blog, if you want to set the version of any WSL distro to be using WSL 2 with the command:wsl.exe –set-version 2.
How do I install WSL with a single command?
Just open aWindows Terminaland typewsl.exe –install.
After the install, the WSL optional components will be enabled, and after a restart, your specified distro will be downloaded and installed automatically.
The first releases of this feature will happen the next few months in theWindowsInsiders Fast Ring.
WSL is coming with GPU Compute workflows
According to theMicrosoft Developer Blog,
AddingCUDAand/orGPU Compute supportto WSL has been our #1 most requested feature since our first release! Over the last 3+ years, the WSL, Virtualization, DirectX,WindowsDriver teams, and our silicon partners have been working hard on a complex engineering feat to deliver this capability.
This is why we’re thrilled to announce that we will start previewing GPU compute support for WSL inWindows 10Insider builds within the next few months!
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More about the topics:Microsoft Build 2020,Windows Linux subsystem
Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, Claudiu is focused on whatever comes new from Microsoft.
His abrupt interest in computers started when he saw the first Home Computer as a kid. However, his passion for Windows and everything related became obvious when he became a sys admin in a computer science high school.
With 14 years of experience in writing about everything there is to know about science and technology, Claudiu also likes rock music, chilling in the garden, and Star Wars. May the force be with you, always!
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Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, with 14 years of experience in writing on everything there is to know about science, technology, and Microsoft
