Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Stable Version Released for Windows 10 and 11

Microsoft has released the stable version 1.0.0 of Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) to public for Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems. The final stable version is generally available via Microsoft Store. In this article, we’ll discuss what is WSL and how to download and install its latest version in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

What is Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)?

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a very useful feature present in Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems which allows users to direct run GNU/Linux environments and apps inside Windows without any need of virtual machines (VMs) or dual-boot setup.

In past, we required to install a Linux distribution on a separate partition of our hard disk drive and make a dual-boot system to be able to run Linux apps and games. We could also install and use virtualization software to install Linux distro virtually inside our Windows OS and then launch Linux apps and games virtually.

Using WSL, we can directly run and use Linux apps on our Windows Desktop without any need of dual-boot or virtualization.

Following article contains more details about WSL:

[Tip] How to Install and Run Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) in Windows 10

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is Now Out of Preview Mode

Ever since WSL was released for Windows operating system, it was under Preview tag which means under development and testing phase. But now Microsoft has released final stable version of WSL to public.

WSL is available for download and install via Microsoft Store. In past, it was available as a part of “Turn Windows Features On or Off” package but now Microsoft Store is the default source of WSL installation.

You can download and install WSL stable version using following direct download link:

Download and Install Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) in Windows 10 and 11

Advanced users can also install WSL using command-line. Just run following command to install WSL in your Windows device:

wsl --install

If you are already using previous Preview version of WSL in your computer, you can upgrade the old Preview version to the latest Stable version using following command:

wsl --update

PS: If you keep using the Preview version of WSL which was installed using Windows optional components, Windows will start showing a notification message once a week on start up indicating that you can upgrade to the Store version by running wsl --update command.

How to Download and Install WSL Stable Version from Microsoft Store

At the moment, WSL stable version is available for seekers only which means interested users will need to manually check for updates to be able to get the latest version of WSL.

Just launch Windows Updates and check for updates and Windows will install following update in your device:

• KB5020030 on Windows 10
• KB5019157 on Windows 11

After installing the updates, you can run wsl --install to fresh install WSL or wsl --update to upgrade existing Preview version of WSL to stable version.

PS: WSL stable version will be rolled out automatically to all Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices in mid-December.

WSL stable version can also be downloaded via official WSL page at GitHub:

Download Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) from GitHub

What’s New in WSL Store Version?

The latest version of WSL comes with many improvements and bug fixes. Following are some new features and enhancements in WSL shared by Microsoft team:

• Windows 10 users can now use Linux GUI apps. This was previously only available to Windows 11 users.
• wsl --install now includes: Direct installation from the Microsoft Store by default, --no-launch option to not launch the distro after installing, --web-download option which will download the distro through GitHub releases page rather than through the Microsoft Store.
• wsl --install now also includes: --inbox option to install WSL using the optional Windows component instead of using the Microsoft Store, --enable-wsl1 option to enable WSL 1 support during the install of the Microsoft Store version by also enabling the “Windows Subsystem for Linux” optional component, --no-distribution option to not install a distribution when installing WSL.
• wsl --update now includes: Opening the Microsoft Store page by default, --web-download option to allow updates from GitHub release page.
• wsl --mount now includes: --vhd option to make mounting VHD files easier, --name option to make naming the mountpoint easier.
• wsl --import and wsl --export now include: --vhd option to import or export to a VHD directly.
• Added wsl --import-in-place to take an existing .vhdx file and register it as a distro.
• Added wsl --version to print your version information more easily.
• You can opt in for systemd support.
• Better error printing.
• All of WSLg and the WSL kernel are packaged into the same WSL package, meaning no more extra MSI installs.

Known Issues in WSL Store Version

Following are the known issues in WSL Store version:

• When running in session 0 session (Such as inside of a GitHub action, or when SSHing into the Windows machine) the Store version of WSL will not start.

Difference Between Old Preview Version and New Store Version of WSL

The existing in-Windows or Preview version of WSL will continue to work but it’ll not receive new features and functionality. Microsoft will only release critical bug fixes for the existing version.

On the other hand, the new Store version of WSL will keep getting new features, functionality and changes.

PS: In-Windows version means Preview version of WSL installed using Windows Features or Components wizard. Store version is the new and latest Stable version of WSL installed via Microsoft Store. The previous WSL version installs WSL 1 type distros and new Store version of WSL installs WSL 2 type distros.

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