A new Windows Insider build is now available for download

Jun 11, 2020 04:44 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has released a new Windows 10 preview build to users enrolled in the Windows Insider program, this time announcing a series of changing that concern the Linux kernel.

Beginning with the May 2020 Update, or version 2004, Windows 10’s Windows Subsystem for Linux (which has reached the second generation with this feature update) features a Linux kernel, and today’s preview build comes with an important change.

Starting with this version, the Linux kernel is serviced via Windows Update, just like a native Windows component.

“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.

In other words, Microsoft now promises smoother updates that work pretty much the same as any other updates happening on a Windows 10 device.

Two known issues, no new features

Today’s build also marks the debut of new Your Phone feature: audio controls that makes it possible for desktop users to control the music and audio apps running on their mobile devices.

The full changelog, which you can find embedded in full in the box at the end of the article, includes two known issues, one of which causes the installation of a new build to hang or take much longer than it’s supposed to. Microsoft says it’s already investigating this behavior and a fix would probably be part of a future new build in the Windows Insider program.

Users who want to try out these improvements can enroll in the Windows Insider program in the Fast ring to be offered the new build on Windows Update.

Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 19645