Microsoft Goes Full Penguin: Windows Subsystem for Linux Now Open-Sourced!
Microsoft has finally open-sourced the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). Developers can now dive into its code like it’s the latest must-have gadget. However, a few secret components remain under wraps, possibly because they hold the secret to the perfect cup of coffee… or maybe just some Windows-specific magic.

Hot Take:
Get ready, because Microsoft is going full “open kimono” with WSL’s source code, and it’s about as surprising as finding out the sky is blue. After years of being the software world’s greatest ‘will they, won’t they’ saga, Microsoft finally decided to go open-source with the Windows Subsystem for Linux. It’s like watching the end of a long-running TV series where the main characters finally admit they like each other. WSL’s open-source status is a love letter to its dedicated community, who can now contribute even more to one of the most unique crossover events in tech history. Grab your popcorn, folks—this is going to be one geeky soap opera!
Key Points:
- Microsoft has open-sourced WSL, excluding a few Windows-bound components.
- WSL has been a significant player in enhancing Linux compatibility on Windows since 2016.
- The open-source release includes command-line tools, background services, and Linux-side daemons.
- Community contributions have been pivotal in WSL’s evolution, and now they can make direct code contributions.
- The open-sourcing is expected to boost developer engagement and innovation within the WSL ecosystem.