Microsoft has recently allow developers to run Linux GUI apps on Windows 10. The first preview of support for GUI applications is available today for Windows Insiders, allowing developers to run GUI editors, tools, and applications to build and test Linux apps.
Previously users were able to run Linux GUI apps within Windows previously using a third-party X server, official support from Microsoft means there’s also GPU hardware acceleration so apps and tools run smoothly. Audio and microphone support is also included out of the box, so Linux developers can easily test or run video players and communications apps.
Microsoft automatically starts a companion system distro when you attempt to run a Linux GUI app, and it contains a Wayland, X server, pulse audio server, and everything else needed to make this work inside Windows. Once you terminate an app and WSL, then this special distro ends, too. All of these components combine to make it super easy to run Linux GUI apps alongside regular Windows apps.
If you’re interested in testing Linux GUI apps on Windows 10, you’ll need to install the latest Windows Insider build 21364 from the Dev Channel.
