Microsoft open-sources Windows Subsystem for Linux after nearly a decade

On May 19, Microsoft officially open-sourced the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), nearly nine years after its original launch. The company moved the project to GitHub under the MIT license, giving developers access to the codebase and the ability to build WSL from source.

WSL lets users run Linux binaries natively on Windows without setting up a virtual machine or dual-boot system. Until now, Microsoft controlled WSL development internally. With this shift, the open-source community can now report bugs, suggest features, and directly contribute to its future.

Also read: Microsoft Edge Integrates On-Device AI APIs for Web Developers

Microsoft published detailed build instructions and added support for building WSL in Visual Studio Code. The GitHub repository also includes tools, documentation, and issue tracking. This change reflects Microsoft’s growing commitment to open development practices, particularly for its developer-focused tools.

WSL has become a staple for developers working across platforms, especially those who rely on Linux-based tools but prefer Windows for other tasks. Open-sourcing it removes barriers to contribution and allows faster iteration from the broader community.

With this move, Microsoft hands over more control to developers, aligning WSL with the open nature of many tools it connects with. It’s a major shift in how Microsoft approaches core development infrastructure.

Microsoft also held its developer conference – Build 2025, which featured several announcements such as AI chatbots for website. You can read more about them here –

• Microsoft Build 2025: Top 5 announcements highlights from the developer conference
• Microsoft Build 2025: Everything You Need to Know About Microsoft’s AI chatbots for Websites
• Microsoft Engineer Disrupts Build 2025 Keynote Over Israel Contracts