Here’s some good news for your computer geeks out there. Microsoft has just announced that it will be bringing a full-fledged Linux Kernel to Windows 10. This may not be important news for most of you. However, for people who had to use Linux separately, this may be just the thing they needed.
Welcome to the new Windows Terminal. #MSBuild @KevinTGallo
— Windows Developer (@windowsdev) May 6, 2019
Here’s an explanation. Linux is an operating system running on an open-source kernel. By being open-source, that kernel can be used by other manufacturers to develop their operating systems based on it. The famous and popular Android OS is based on the Linux Kernel. It provides a pre-existing base for new software to be built on. It also saves manufacturers the cost of developing their software from scratch.
Microsoft Windows always had its own base and thus didn’t have an integrated programming environment and the iconic terminal window that Linux users love. To use these features, you had to install Linux separately on either an emulator or dual-boot in on your device. That, however, will be changing now.
Microsoft program manager, Jack Hammons announced on his blog post, “Beginning with Windows Insiders builds this Summer, we will include an in-house custom-built Linux kernel to underpin the newest version of the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)”. The current latest, most stable version is 4.19. It will be updated with regular Windows updates.
Hammon also says, “This is the culmination of years of effort from the Linux Systems Group as well as multiple other teams across Microsoft. We are excited to be able to share the result and look forward to the new and interesting ways in which you will use WSL”.
This will also massively improve the performance of the Operating System due to a more efficient memory. The current command-line terminal will be redesigned to look and feel brand new. There will also be an introduction to tabs rather than new windows for working simultaneously.
This is expected to make its way to users later this year. It will be available to install through Windows Store. However, Windows Insider users will be able to get the preview builds towards the end of June.