Windows Subsystem For Linux Gets “Full Support” In Windows 10 Fall Creators Update

Users of the Windows Subsystem for Linux, WSL for short, which allows users to run Linux on Windows 10 can feel happier. WSL is going to become a full-fledged Windows 10 feature with the release of the Fall Creators Update on Tuesday (October 17).

As we told you earlier, WSL on Windows 10 moved out of beta in August. It still carries the beta tag in Windows 10 Creators Update. Also, it won’t require people to enable developer mode to use WSL on their system. WSL is also available for Windows Server and Azure VM’s.

Windows 10 is now capable of running multiple Linux distros; you can find many on the Microsoft Store. Ubuntu, openSUSE, and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) are among the options currently available, with Fedora and other distros to follow soon.

Along with improvements and bug fixes, WSL now offers support for USB and serial comms ports, allowing users to mount USB storage devices and leverage IoT, embedded devices, etc.

What’s more is that the name “Bash on Windows” is being dropped as the development team thinks the name fails to describe what is WSL and what it can do. From now on, only the name “Windows Subsytem for Linux” would be used and it would include Microsoft’s side of the technology (kernel and Windows tools) that enables Linux binaries to run on Windows.

To enable WSL, go to Control Panel > Programs and Features > Turn Windows Features on or off. Check the box that says ‘Windows Subsystem for Linux’.

What are your views on WSL? Drop them in the comments.

Also Read: Windows 10 Insider Build 17017 Brings Cortana Collections, New Startup Settings, And More