Microsoft Has Finally Added Windows Subsystem For Linux (WSL) To Windows Server [ Here's How to install ]

After bringing Windows Subsystem For Linux (WSL) to Windows 10 operating system and making the installation more hassle-free by adding them to Windows Store, Microsoft is all set to bring the goodness of Linux to Windows Server.

In an announcement on its blog, Microsoft wrote that WSL can be installed on Windows Insider Builds of Windows Server. After this, developers and sysadmins can use Linux tools alongside PowerShell and CMD.

Just in case you’re wondering why Microsoft decided to add Windows Subsystem For Linux to Windows Server, doing so makes more sense as compared to regular Windows 10. Windows Server is used by sysadmins, developers, people building/managing services, etc. Occasionally, they need tools available on Linux.

Compared to running Linux in a virtual machine, WSL runs unmodified Linux binaries natively on Windows. With its help, one can run/install almost any Linux tool integrated into Windows.

Please note that while you can run daemons and jobs like PostgreSQL, MYSQL, sshd, etc., via an interactive shell, you can’t use WSL to run persistent Linux servers, jobs, etc.

How to install Windows Subsystem For Linux (WSL) on Windows Server?

Windows Subsystem For Linux has arrived in Windows Server Insider Build 16237, so you must be running the same or a higher version. Just in case you aren’t a Windows Insider, you need to join a program–Windows Insiders or Windows Insiders for Business.

Microsoft has published very clear and straightforward instructions for helping you install WSL on Windows Server. You can find them here.