Microsoft is taking Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) to the next level by not only unveiling WSL 2 with an entirely new architecture, but also announcing that Windows 10 will begin shipping with a real Linux kernel later this year. "WSL 2 is a new version of the architecture that powers the Windows Subsystem for Linux to run ELF64 Linux binaries on Windows," Microsoft writes in the announcement blog. One of the key differences between WSL 1 and WSL 2 is the introduction of a real Linux kernel; one that Microsoft is tuning specifically for WSL 2 and developing in house based on the latest stable branch. The initial offering will be based on kernel version 4.19. Unsurprisingly, this custom kernel will be serviced through Windows Update to deliver the latest improvements and security fixes.

Source: Forbes May 07, 2019 07:41 UTC