Microsoft now allows developers to create custom Linux distro packages for sideloading on Windows 10

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by Pradeep Viswav 

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Windows

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) feature in Windows 10 enables anyone to run native Linux command-line tools directly on Windows, alongside traditional Windows desktop and modern Microsoft Store apps. Microsoft first partnered with Canonical to bring Ubuntu to the Microsoft Store. Later, they worked with others like SUSE, Debian, Kali and Fedora to bring their Linux distros to the Microsoft Store & Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

Today, Microsoft announced that they have open sourced a WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) sample for Linux distribution maintainers. This sample will allow any distro maintainer to build WSL distro packages for the Microsoft Store. Developers can also create custom Linux distro packages for sideloading on their Windows 10 machines. While developers cannot submit their custom package to the Microsoft Store, a distribution maintainer can do it to distribute the Linux distro to more people.

If you are a Linux distribution owner interested in adding your distribution to the Microsoft Store, send a email to [email protected] to get approval before submitting your distro to Microsoft Store.

Learn more about it here.

Pradeep Viswav

Pradeep Viswav Shield

Software and Services Expert

Pradeep is a Computer Science and Engineering Graduate. He was also a Microsoft Student Partner. He is currently working in a leading IT company.

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