Microsoft doubles down on Windows Subsystem for Linux
However, WSLg is still only available in Insider Preview releases
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Microsofthas officially announced the highly-anticipated update to its Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) that will enable users to run graphicalLinux appsseamlessly on theirWindows 10desktops.
Dubbed WSLg, the update was firstpreviewed last monthin April, before being formally unveiled at Microsoft’s annual Build 2021 conference.
Arguably, one of the biggest, and surely the most exciting update to theWindows 10WSL, Microsoft has been working on WSLg for quite a while and in fact first demoed it at last year’s conference, before releasing the preview in April.
Not yet GA
While Microsoft encourages users to use WSLg, notably the feature is still available inInside Previewbuilds only.
Microsoft also recommends running WSLg after enabling support for virtual GPU (vGPU) for WSL, in order to take advantage of 3D acceleration within the Linux apps.
Even as Microsoft continues to pitch WSLg towards developers, pretty much like the entire WSL ecosystem, you can use it to run all manners of Linux apps. In fact, WSLg also supports audio and microphone devices, which means the graphical Linux apps will also be able to record and play audio.
Keeping in line with its developer slant, Microsoft also announced that since WSLg can now help Linux apps leverage the graphics hardware on the Windows machine, the subsystem can be used to efficiently run Linux AI and ML workloads.
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WSLg looks all set to alter the workflows (for the better) for anyone who runs Linux apps on Windows through virtualization. IfWSLg developersare to be believed, the update is expected to be generally available alongside the upcoming release of Windows.
With almost two decades of writing and reporting on Linux, Mayank Sharma would like everyone to think he’sTechRadar Pro’sexpert on the topic. Of course, he’s just as interested in other computing topics, particularly cybersecurity, cloud, containers, and coding.
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