News from the AI & ML world
DeeperML
Brian Fagioli@BetaNews
//
Microsoft has officially open-sourced the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), a feature allowing developers to run Linux distributions directly on Windows without needing virtual machines or dual-boot setups. This move, announced at Build 2025, marks a significant shift after nearly a decade of closed development, and fulfills the very first feature request on the Microsoft/WSL GitHub repository: "Will this be open source?". Developers now have full access to the WSL code on GitHub, inviting them to inspect, improve, and contribute to seamlessly integrate Linux with Windows.
This open-source release includes core components that power WSL 2, such as command-line tools, background services, init processes, networking daemons, and the Plan9-based file sharing system. Users can now build WSL from source, fork it, or contribute directly on GitHub, fostering community involvement in shaping the future of Linux-on-Windows integration. The move also helps in customization, allowing developers to tailor WSL to their specific needs.
While not every part of WSL is open, as some legacy elements like the WSL 1 kernel driver remain proprietary, this release is a meaningful step towards bridging the gap between Windows and Linux ecosystems. By making WSL open source, Microsoft aims to leverage community expertise and accelerate the evolution of the platform, allowing for more seamless cross-platform app development. This decision makes Windows a stronger contender as a go-to dev platform, alongside the open-sourcing of other development tools such as the command-line text editor Edit.
ImgSrc: betanews.com
References :
This open-source release includes core components that power WSL 2, such as command-line tools, background services, init processes, networking daemons, and the Plan9-based file sharing system. Users can now build WSL from source, fork it, or contribute directly on GitHub, fostering community involvement in shaping the future of Linux-on-Windows integration. The move also helps in customization, allowing developers to tailor WSL to their specific needs.
While not every part of WSL is open, as some legacy elements like the WSL 1 kernel driver remain proprietary, this release is a meaningful step towards bridging the gap between Windows and Linux ecosystems. By making WSL open source, Microsoft aims to leverage community expertise and accelerate the evolution of the platform, allowing for more seamless cross-platform app development. This decision makes Windows a stronger contender as a go-to dev platform, alongside the open-sourcing of other development tools such as the command-line text editor Edit.
ImgSrc: betanews.com
Share:
References :
- BetaNews: Betanews: Well, it finally happened, folks. Microsoft has open-sourced the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), giving developers full access to its code on GitHub!
- Changelog: Microsoft finally opens the source of WSL, Paolo Scanferla describes an inherent trade-off in TypeScript's type system, Alberto Fortin is taking a step back from heavy LLM use while coding, a pseudonymous hacker spent two weeks coding from their Android phone, and NLWeb might become the HTML of the open agentic web.
- borncity.com: Windows Subsystem for Linux is now Open Source
- cyberinsider.com: Windows Subsystem for Linux Finally Becomes Open Source
- www.computerworld.com: Windows Subsystem for Linux becomes open source
- OMG! Ubuntu: Microsoft Open-Sources Windows Subsystem for Linux
- www.windowscentral.com: Microsoft open sources the Windows Subsystem for Linux — invites developers to help more seamlessly integrate Linux with Windows
- arstechnica.com: Microsoft takes Windows Subsystem for Linux open source after nearly a decade
- The Register - Software: Microsoft open sources the Windows Subsystem for Linux — well, most of it
- bsky.app: The Windows Subsystem for Linux is now open source
- Help Net Security: Microsoft has officially open-sourced the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), closing the very first issue ever filed on the Microsoft/WSL GitHub repository: “Will this be open source?â€
- securityonline.info: WSL Goes Open Source: Microsoft Opens Up Windows Subsystem for Linux
- www.helpnetsecurity.com: Microsoft has officially open-sourced the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), closing the very first issue ever filed on the Microsoft/WSL GitHub repository: “Will this be open source?”
- linuxsecurity.com: For years, Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) has closed the gap between Windows and Linux ecosystems.
- Ars OpenForum: Microsoft takes Windows Subsystem for Linux open source after nearly a decade
- Daily CyberSecurity: WSL Goes Open Source: Microsoft Opens Up Windows Subsystem for Linux
- BleepingComputer: Microsoft open-sources Windows Subsystem for Linux at Build 2025
- thenewstack.io: The Windows Subsystem for Linux Is Now Open Source
- Techlore: Microsoft Releases Windows Subsystem for Linux Code!
- thenewstack.io: Microsoft Releases Windows Subsystem for Linux Code!
- Techlore: OPEN SOURCE WIN: Microsoft Releases Windows Subsystem for Linux Code! Microsoft has fully open-sourced the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), the technology that enables Linux distributions to run natively on Windows. Source:
- www.zdnet.com: Microsoft finally open-sources (most of) Windows Subsystem for Linux
Classification:
- HashTags: #WindowsSubsystemforLinux #AI #Microsoft
- Company: Microsoft
- Target: Software Developers
- Product: WSL
- Feature: WSL
- Type: AI
- Severity: Informative