Windows 10 can now run GUI Linux apps

Microsoft reported that Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) will leave the preview phase and enter the Microsoft Store for Windows 10. The announcement means not only that it will be easier for users to access WSL, but that it will be possible. run Linux GUI applications. The tech has also confirmed that the Store version will be installed by default on Windows 1o and Windows 11, streamlining the necessary steps to get it up and running.

Craig Lowen, product manager at Microsoft, said that WSL’s introduction to the Windows 10 Store was driven by community requests. The company announced at Build 2020 that it would be possible run Linux GUI applications without sacrificing performance. However, the Linux subsystem version is only debuted in Windows 11 Microsoft Store as a preview.

This means that we can run the command wsl.exe --install install store version. This will no longer include the “Windows Subsystem for Linux” add-on, nor will it install the WSL kernel or WSLg packages as they are not needed. Users running the Windows Subsystem for Linux via an add-on will be prompted to upgrade to the Store version.

This is the most important change to the Windows Subsystem for Linux.

According to Loewen, the transition from WSL to an app store will allow users to access subsystem features faster without worrying about changing Windows version. Recall that WSL is an optional component of the operating system, so the binary files that make up the logic are part of its image. Under this scheme, changes in the subsystem are tied to Windows updates.

When migrating binaries to a WSL application, it is independent of the version of Windows. new versions of the subsystem behave in the same way as other applicationswhich simplifies the process. The only requirement is to activate the Virtual Machine Platform component in Turn Windows features on or off.

Along with the deployment, some additional changes to the installation commands are also made. Windows 10 users will be able to include any of the following arguments. wsl.exe --install.

--inbox Install WSL using an optional Windows feature instead of the Microsoft Store.

--enable-wsl1 Enables support for WSL 1 during installation of the Microsoft Store version and also includes the Windows Subsystem for Linux add-on.

--no-distribution It does not install any distribution when installing WSL.

--no-launch It does not start the distribution automatically after installation.

--web-download Download the latest version of WSL from the web, not the Microsoft Store.

How to install WSL from the Microsoft Store on Windows 10

To install the Windows Subsystem for Linux from the Microsoft Store, you must install the operating system version 21H1, 21H2, or 22H2. Similar It is important to have KB5020030 updates for Windows 10.or KB5019157 for Windows 11. Availability is limited to a few users at this time, although Microsoft has confirmed that It will be available to the general public in mid-December..

Once it lands you just need to run the command wsl --install from the terminal as administrator. If you are already a user, it will be enough to write wsl --update to update to the latest version of the Microsoft Store.