Windows Subsystem for Linux exits beta

Microsoft plans to advance the Windows Subsystem for Linux from its current beta-test phase with its new Windows 10 version. The beta tag has already dropped from Windows 10 build 16251, which some Windows Insider testers are using. One of the benefits of it falls out of beta will be that Microsoft will start providing product support.

Windows Subsystem for Linux

The Windows Subsystem for Linux as relatively stable and getting few changes before its coming release. The release is tied to the Windows 10 fall creators update, which is expected to arrive in September or October.

The Windows Subsystem for Linux permits Linux distros to run natively on Windows 10. Microsoft initially collaborated with Canonical to integrate Ubuntu Linux with the subsystem, which lets users run the Bash command-line shell on top of Windows 10. The subsystem will support other Linux distros as well, such as Fedora and SUSE Linux. Also, Microsoft recently clarified that these distros will be accessible from the Windows Store.

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Microsoft built the Windows Subsystem for Linux to support Linux developer tools. It can also use for basic administrative tasks. However, it"s not designed for running Linux workloads on Windows 10.

Microsoft Beta

As for changes, the WSL will no longer identified as “Beta” when the user installs it via Windows Features. Users can now file bugs on WSL via Microsoft’s various support mechanisms, but Feedback Hub-based feedback for those in the Windows Insider program will continue to work as before.

Windows Subsystem for Linux supports running Bash commands, but also permits the Windows command-line interface to run Linux commands. Users can invoke Linux processes from the Windows command-line.

Microsoft and Linux distro publishers have a collaborative agreement to make the subsystem work. The Linux distro publishers maintain the distros, while Microsoft maintains the subsystem.