The latest build of Redstone 2 brings new improvements for Linux users, including Ubuntu 16.04 (Xenial)

Oct 20, 2016 05:59 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft rolled out Windows 10 Redstone 2 build 14951 earlier today for fast ring insiders, and this new version comes with several improvements, including changes to the Windows Subsystem for Linux.

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) was originally implemented in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update and is still in beta version, but Microsoft is constantly improving it with new features and tweaks using preview builds released as part of the Windows Insider program.

The latest such build finally updates the Windows Subsystem for Linux with Ubuntu 16.04 support, thus replacing Ubuntu 14.04 (Trusty) for new installations on Bash.

This means that Ubuntu 16.04 (Xenial) is installed for all new Bash on Ubuntu on Windows instances created in this build, while users who are upgrading to 14951 and already using an older instance can upgrade with the do-release-update command.

Windows and WSL interoperability

Furthermore, Windows 10 Redstone 2 build 14951 brings Windows and WSL interoperability, as users can now launch Windows binaries directly from a WSL command prompt. Microsoft has a detailed description of this new feature:

“In a broad sense, interoperability is the ability to mix and match NT and Linux binaries from within the same shell. For example, using bash.exe to navigate your file system and launching an NT graphical text editor from the current working directory. Another aspect is the ability for NT and Linux binaries to redirect their input and output.

“For example, filtering the output of a Windows command with the Linux grep binary. This functionality allows the Windows Subsystem for Linux to accomplish something that was previously not possible: seamlessly running your favorite native Windows and Linux tools from the shell of your choice.”

There are also some other fixes available in this fresh Windows 10 build, including locale set during install now being displayed and Terminal fixes, including for a bug that causes the redirection of a WSL process to a file to fail to work.

The latest build is available for users enrolled in the fast ring of the Windows Insider program and can be downloaded by anyone participating in this testing effort.