Microsoft Launches Open-Source WSL 2.6 for Linux Users
▼ Summary
– Microsoft announced WSL would go open-source at Build 2025 and has now released WSL 2.6 as its first open-source version.
– The open-source move aims to boost community growth, simplify bug tracking, and encourage contributions to the project.
– WSL 2.6 includes stability improvements, bug fixes, and enhancements like better handling of distribution downloads and systemd sessions.
– Key fixes address issues like corrupted disk reporting, URL parameter handling, and crashes in wslsettings.
– The release is available under an MIT license on GitHub, marking a milestone in WSL’s open-source development.
Microsoft has taken a significant step forward in its commitment to open-source development with the release of Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) 2.6. This marks the first major update since the company announced its decision to open-source WSL earlier this year. The move aims to foster greater community involvement, streamline bug reporting, and encourage contributions from developers worldwide.
The transition to open-source began when Microsoft made WSL2’s code publicly available during Build 2025. Now, with version 2.6 officially launched, users can access the project under an MIT license through GitHub. This release focuses primarily on stability enhancements and resolving known issues, demonstrating Microsoft’s dedication to improving the Linux experience on Windows platforms.
Key improvements in WSL 2.6 includes an enhanced system stability across various operations: Technical refinements address specific pain points, such as preventing crashes when moving virtual hard disks and correcting error reporting during mount failures. The update also eliminates unnecessary prefixes when resolving distribution locations and improves download reliability under certain error conditions.
By open-sourcing WSL, Microsoft creates new opportunities for collaboration between Windows and Linux developers. The company’s decision reflects a growing trend toward cross-platform compatibility and community-driven development in enterprise software solutions. Developers interested in exploring or contributing to the project can find the complete source code and documentation on GitHub, where the team continues to track issues and implement improvements based on user feedback.
(Source: Phoronix)
