Developers can now sideload custom Linux distributions to the Windows 10 Subsystem for Linux

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by Radu Tyrsina 

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Microsoft today announced developers can now sideload custom Linux distributions to the Windows 10 Subsystem for Linux (WSL.) The company has open sourced a WSL sample for Linux distribution partners, which now can be found on GitHub.

Microsoft is playing nice with Linux distributions, and says it would like to bring WSL closer to the OSS community. The company hopes that the open source project will help increase community engagement, and bring more Linux distributions to the store. It should be noted, however, that personally created custom packages cannot be distributed through the Microsoft Store unless submitted as a distribution maintainer and approved by Microsoft.

Many popular Linux distributions are already available on the Windows Store as part of the WSL. Just last month, Microsoft added both Kali Linux and Debian Linux to the Store. Developers can visit the Distro Launcher repo to start creating distro packages for WSL today and check here to learn more about the process.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina Shield

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time). For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web. Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they're looking for.

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