14 DAY TRIAL // The Windows Subsystem for Linux, or WSL, is making its way to the Microsoft Store, therefore making it easier for users not only to install it but also to get further updates.
Thanks to the Microsoft Store update model, WSL can therefore get improvements separate from operating system updates and without relying on Windows Update.
Previously, WSL could be installed as a Windows feature right from the operating system, and servicing it required dedicated Windows updates.
“WSL is now available in the Microsoft Store. This is the same WSL you know and love but just a different delivery mechanism. Installing WSL from the Store will make it easier to get the latest WSL updates in the future,” Microsoft announced today when the company rolled out a new Windows 11 preview build.
Easier to install
At the same time, the company is also making it easier to install WSL by changing the outcome of the wsl.exe -install command. Starting today, this command points to the Microsoft Store version of WSL, so the experience overall is more straightforward.
“Starting in this preview build, we’ve made it easier for new users to get started with the WSL in the Microsoft Store by changing the `wsl.exe –install` command to install WSL from the Microsoft Store by default,” Microsoft explains today.
“Additionally, we’ve added some additional arguments to `wsl.exe –install` to make it easier to configure your install, such as `wsl –install –no-launch` which will install a new WSL distro without immediately launching it. To see a full list of available commands please run `wsl –help`. If you want to get started with the Store version right away and already have WSL installed just run `wsl –update` to update immediately to the Store version!”
Users can already download WSL from the Microsoft Store, though it could take a few more hours before the listing shows up for everybody.