Security News > 2021 > April > Windows 10 now lets you seamlessly run Linux GUI apps
Windows 10 now lets you run Linux GUI apps without using a virtual machine after Microsoft added GUI support to the Windows Subsystem for Linux.
Microsoft designed the WSL compatibility layer to make it possible for Windows 10 customers to run Linux binaries in ELF format natively on their Windows computers, in a PowerShell or Windows 10 command prompt.
While users have been asking Microsoft to add support for the Wayland protocol in WSL to allow GUI Linux apps to work since at least 2016, the company only announced intentions to introduce Linux GUI support in WSL last year, at BUILD 2020.
As previously described, it enables you to use your favorite Linux GUI applications in Windows as you would use them on a Linux desktop.
"From integration into the Start Menu for launch to appearing in the task bar, alt-tab experience to enabling cut/paste across Windows and Linux applications, WSLg enables a seamless desktop experience and workflow leveraging Windows and Linux applications."
Windows Developer Platform Program Manager Craig Loewen shared some use cases for WSLg, including developing, debugging, and testing Linux projects using your favorite IDE, and using Linux apps with audio or 3D acceleration built-in support.
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