The Windows Subsystem for Linux is now open source (blogs.windows.com)

Article summary

Microsoft has announced the open-source release of the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), allowing users to download, build, and contribute to the project. WSL is a set of distribution components that enable running Linux on Windows. The open-source release is the result of a multi-year effort and follows the open-sourcing of other WSL components. The move is expected to accelerate the development of WSL and increase community involvement.

Main themes

• WSL open-sourcing
• Microsoft motivations
• Community involvement
• Layoffs and strategy
• Kernel customization
• Data privacy and advertising
• Multi-OS support

What commenters say

• The open-sourcing of WSL may be related to Microsoft's recent layoffs, but others argue that the decision was made long before the layoffs.
• Some commenters are skeptical about Microsoft's motivations for open-sourcing WSL, suggesting it may be a strategy to access free talent and increase adoption.
• Others see the move as a positive development, allowing for greater community involvement and customization.
• The open-sourcing of WSL is seen as a way for Microsoft to benefit from community contributions while reducing its own support burden.
• Some users are interested in using a vanilla kernel with WSL, but others note that this may require compiling their own kernel and potentially losing some features.
• The use of WSL raises concerns about data privacy and advertising, with some users preferring to use alternative solutions to avoid being tracked.
• The ability to run multiple Linux versions simultaneously on WSL is seen as a major advantage by some users.
• Others argue that WSL's kernel modifications and patches are already public, and that users can compile their own kernels if needed.