Microsoft makes the integration of GNU/Linux into Windows even more accessible. A simple application from the Microsoft Store is now enough to install WSL.
To attract developers, Microsoft has been offering for several years to integrate a full version of GNU/Linux directly into Windows. When we knew the war which opposed Windows, MacOS and Linux, inevitably that can shock. Microsoft's idea was to avoid installing a dual boot and allow developers to easily switch from one environment to another depending on the tools they need.
With Windows 11, Microsoft will make things even easier.
Everything goes through the Microsoft Store
To install WSL, the Windows Subsystem for Linux, it was previously necessary to go through the optional components of Windows which required a restart of the system and to go to the advanced options. With Windows 11, things get easier, probably thanks to the new opening of the Microsoft Store. Microsoft was therefore able to put the function on its store, which will still require a little more than 400 MB of download.
- Windows Subsystem for Linux Preview on the Microsoft Store
This has another advantage: future updates will go through the Microsoft Store rather than being synchronized with system updates, necessarily heavier. Downloading and installing is very easy.
Remember that the WSL system has greatly improved over time with full integration of the GNU / Linux file tree directly into Windows file explorer, to easily transfer documents from one space to another . WSL now also has the right to applications with a real graphical interface.
Once WSL is installed, the user can choose between several distributions, again available on the Microsoft Store: Ubuntu, Debian, Alpine WSL or Kali Linux.
- Microsoft Store Linux distributions
If you are already using WSL with the classic installation, Microsoft promises to keep updating the project this way as well. However, we understand in Microsoft's announcements that the preferred route will be that of installation by the Store from now on.
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