this post was submitted on 19 May 2025
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The Windows Subsystem for Linux is now open source. (blogs.windows.com)
submitted 5 days ago by MCasq_qsaCJ_234@lemmy.zip to c/technology@lemmy.world
187 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Today we’re very excited to announce the open-source release of the Windows Subsystem for Linux. This is the result of a multiyear effort to prepare for this, and a great closure to the first ever issue raised on the Microsoft/WSL repo:

https://github.com/microsoft/WSL

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[–] Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (4 children)

I don't understand this.

Does this mean Windows programs and exe files will now run natively on linux?

Edit: unclear why someone asking a question gets a 50/50 downvote to upvote response....

"OOOOHHHH!!!!! THIS GUY DOESN'T KNOW ALL THE THINGS I KNOW!!!! BOOOOO!!!!!"

[–] Aux@feddit.uk 9 points 4 days ago

Yes, as long as your Linux distro is Windows.

[–] Jrockwar@feddit.uk 7 points 4 days ago (4 children)

In my view it's a Linux subsystem for Windows.

Why the name is the other way around, I'll never understand.

[–] 3abas@lemm.ee 10 points 4 days ago (1 children)

The original WSL doesn't use the Linux kernel at all, it's a Windows Subsystem for compatibility with Linux. WSL2 actually visualizes a complete Linux kernel, but the name stuck.

[–] Aux@feddit.uk 1 points 4 days ago

The original WSL DOES use the Linux kernel. Which runs as a native NT process (there's a huge difference between NT and Win32 processes). But porting a Linux kernel into the NT binary is a maintenance nightmare, it's much easier to run the original in a slim VM.

[–] FreedomAdvocate@lemmy.net.au 4 points 4 days ago

It's a windows subsystem, and it runs linux.

[–] Bezier@suppo.fi 3 points 4 days ago

Windows subsystem for (running) linux?

[–] Stovetop@lemmy.world 3 points 4 days ago

I guess the logic is that it's a subsystem of Windows for the purpose of running Linux apps.

Agree though that it's a confusing name. I remember thinking the same thing about Windows Subsystem for Android (the compatibility layer to run Android apps in Windows)

[–] unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Yeah the naming is absurdly stupid. Its a linux subsystem that is part of windows nowadays. Its so people on windows can get access to a proper terminal interface.

[–] Natanael@slrpnk.net 4 points 4 days ago

[Windows subsystem] for [executable environment] is the naming scheme. The default is Win32, there's one for POSIX (practically never used), and Linux runs in another.

https://stackoverflow.com/a/41409419

[–] anachrohack@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Windows has a terminal interface already!

[–] unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de 0 points 4 days ago (2 children)

that thing is a glorified childs toy tho

[–] anachrohack@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

Why do you say that

[–] FreedomAdvocate@lemmy.net.au 1 points 3 days ago

You’re going to have to explain your reasoning here.