14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has become fully committed to the world of Linux, so the recently-released Windows 10 version 2004, also known as May 2020 Update, come with welcome updates in this regard, including the second-generation Windows Subsystem for Linux.
WSL2 is based on the same approach as the original version and allows users to run Linux on top of Windows 10 but obviously introduces a series of refinements, including support for full Linux kernels in the installed distributions.
And one of the changes that are going live today is a new distribution model for Linux kernel updates.
Microsoft brings Linux kernel updates to Windows Update, which means that new versions can now be downloaded by simply checking for updates on Windows 10.
This means the Linux kernel is now serviced like a native Windows 10 feature or driver pack installed on the device.
“We changed the servicing model for the Linux kernel inside of Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 distributions. This build includes this change to remove the Linux kernel from the Windows image, and instead have it be serviced via Microsoft Update, the same way that 3rd party drivers (like graphics, or touchpad drivers) are installed and updated on your machine today,” Microsoft explains.
The change was originally announced earlier this year when Microsoft first confirmed that users would be allowed to download updates for the Linux kernel in WSL2 from Windows Update.
What you need to know is that the latest Linux kernel is automatically installed when you set up the Windows Subsystem for Linux on the device. Afterwards, you need to manually check for updates in Windows Update to get the latest versions.
Needless to say, Windows Update will also push these updates automatically to your device, just like a typical update for Windows system. You’ll be notified by Windows Update when new versions are installed.
Microsoft details Linux kernel updates on this page, so you can check it regularly to see the latest improvements that come with the most recent versions.
At this point, the newest Linux kernel for WSL 2 is version 4.19.121-microsoft-standard, and it introduces new drivers as well as support for GPU compute.
“If you’ve ever gone to your Windows settings, and clicked ‘Check for Updates’ you might have seen some other items being updated like Windows Defender malware definitions, or a new touchpad driver, etc,” Microsoft explained in the original announcement that rolled out in May.
“The Linux kernel in WSL2 will now be serviced in this same method, which means you’ll get the latest kernel version independently of consuming an update to your Windows image. You can manually check for new kernel updates by clicking the ‘Check for Updates’ button, or you can let Windows keep you up to date just like normal.”
WSL 2 is exclusive to users running Windows 10 version 2004 (May 2020 Update), whose rolled out started late last month.
At this point, however, the new update goes live in stages for users across the world, and it’s available with a manual check for updates in Windows Update for computers that are already running Windows 10 version 1903 and 1909. However, Microsoft has also put several upgrade blocks in place, so if you don’t see the update in Windows Update, there’s a chance the company is aware of a problem that could hit your device should you upgrade to version 2004.
The rollout advances fast though, so broad availability should be reached later this summer when the majority of issues are resolved for improved performance.