HomeWinBuzzer NewsBuild 2020: Windows Subsystem for Linux Now Runs Linux Applications

Build 2020: Windows Subsystem for Linux Now Runs Linux Applications

Microsoft has updated Windows Subsystem for Linux to support Linux GUI applications, allowing users to run Linux apps on Windows.

-

Earlier this week, Microsoft president Brad Smith admitted the company was too slow to embrace open source. In recent years, the Microsoft Loves Linux era has allowed Windows 10 users to adopt the platform through Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

At Build 2020 today, Microsoft made some big announcements regarding Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) 2. Leading the changes, Microsoft revealed hardware acceleration for WSL. This addition means users can now run Linux GUI applications on Windows 10.

Elsewhere, the update includes support for GPU compute workflows. Linux tools can now tap into GPUs on Windows PCs to allow the hardware acceleration when developing apps. Support for GUI applications also allows users to open a WSL instance and run it like a Linux app in Windows 10.

Importantly, this change removes the need to use a third-party server. Microsoft also announced plans to support an easier install process through the command “wsl.exe-install”.

All changes to WSL announced at Build 2020

  • “Added support for graphics processing unit (GPU) compute workflows allows Linux tools to leverage GPUs to enable hardware acceleration for many development scenarios, such as parallel computation and training machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) models.
  • Support for Linux graphical user interface (GUI) apps will enable you to open a WSL instance and run a Linux GUI app directly without the need for a third-party X server. This will help you to run your favorite apps in a Linux environment such as an integrated development environment (IDE).

WSL will soon support a simplified install experience by running the command ‘wsl.exe – install,' which will make it easier than ever to start using Linux apps on Windows.”

Luke Jones
Luke Jones
Luke has been writing about Microsoft and the wider tech industry for over 10 years. With a degree in creative and professional writing, Luke looks for the interesting spin when covering AI, Windows, Xbox, and more.

Recent News

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x
Mastodon