How the Linux kernel will work in Windows 10’s next big update - meadowsluch1979

Mark Hachman / IDG

Microsoft confirmed Fri that it will send Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 in the upcoming Windows 10 20H1 (2004) release, though updates bequeath be handled though Windows Update, and not the app.

As we noted in our revue of Windows 10 20H1, Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2) is an optional feature film that you can add to Windows, operating theatre ignore entirely. Au fon, IT's a text-based version of Linux that now runs on top of its own Linux kernel, single of the key upgrades over WSL1. Operation should increase as a result.

Earlier, the substance shipped as part of Windows, within Windows Insider builds that we used to construct our refresh. At once, in version 2004, Microsoft is saying that the Linux kernel—again, an optional feature—will equal separate, and transmitted to your PC via Windows Update if you've enabled WSL2. Subsequent updates will be handled by Windows Update also.

"This change leave give you more agility and flexibility over Linux kernel updates in WSL2," said Craig Loewen, a program manager at Microsoft responsible WSL, in a blog post. Windows Update, Microsoft's mechanism for updating Windows, already has a feature that allows you to update drivers for microcode and some peripherals drivers, if they're supported. Straightaway, Microsoft will use Windows Update for updating Linux, too.

Basically, it's a similar strategy to what Microsoft has done with any number of apps within the Microsoft Memory boar: if you stool separate them from Windows proper, they can be developed and upgraded at their own pace.

The idea, though, is that by sanctioning the Linux kernel to be upgraded via WSL, wholly of the incumbent Linux kernel updates will occur prat the scenes. "Our last goal is for this change to be seamless, where your Linux kernel is kept up to date stamp without you needing to think most IT," Loewen wrote. "By default this will be handled only aside Windows, just like regular updates along your machine."

Note that it's just the Linux kernel that Microsoft is updating via Windows Update. Apt-stimulate update or liable-engender upgrade, the way to fetch new packages, South Korean won't be affected, Loewen confirmed via Twitter.

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As PCWorld's senior editor, Mark focuses on Microsoft news and chip engineering, among opposite beat generation. He has erst inscribed for PCMag, BYTE, Slashdot, eWEEK, and ReadWrite.