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5 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
We know that a lot of you use software such as WSL, so we’re pretty sure that this news will tickle your fancy right away.
That is why you should know that , with the release of version 1.0.0 of WSL, Microsoft has ditched the Preview tag.
Furthermore, it has made this variant of WSL the default experience for people who run thewsl –install orwsl –updatecommands.
The Microsoft Store has an Android Subsystem page
As first spotted on Twitter, the Microsoft Store now contains a dedicated page for Windows Subsystem for Android.
Back when we first reported this, even though it was free to download, it only popped up a blank window when you install and open it on Windows 11.
Windows Subsystem for Android™https://t.co/xwhezCYVnYpic.twitter.com/PXMYKHcR6q
Trying to install it on a Windows 10 device would yield absolutely no results because you can’t even do it in the first place.
However, this store listing also contains some details that most users interested in this field will find interesting.
First, the minimum requirements have been listed asWindows 10 version 22000.0 or greater, which is the same branch as what we have on the Beta Channel currently.
Microsoft has shared several advantages of installing the Store version of WSL, such as faster updates, better error printing, WSLg and WSL packed in a single package, and the ability to opt-in for systemd support, among many other things.
Some of the other improvements introduced by backporting the Microsoft Store version of WSL to Windows 10 and making it the default experience on both OSes also include:
There is a known issue in the Microsoft Store release though, and that is the fact that WSL may fail to start if you are running in asession 0session.
For the time being, this new experience of WSL is available to seekers only, but it will be rolled out automatically to everyone by mid-December 2022.
If you didn’t know, the seeker process involves checking for Windows updates and then installing KB5020030 if you’re on Windows 10, or KB5019157 if you’re on Windows 11.
Know that you can then run thewsl –install(new users) orwsl –update(existing users) commands to get the Microsoft Store version of WSL.
Or, you could just go ahead and manually install the latest releasefrom GitHub.
Just keep in mind that if you’re running a WSL 1 distro, you still need to manually install theWindows Subsystem for Linuxoptional component.
Also, the built-in Windows version of WSL will only receive critical bug fixes moving forward, new features will be exclusive to the Microsoft Store version.
What else should I know about WSL?
Even more important is the fact that it lists Xbox One as a supported OS too, something that has not been hinted at by the Redmond-based tech company before.
Supported architectures include ARM64 and x64 while the minimum amount of RAM required is 8GB. The recommended specifications are the same apart from RAM requirements, which have been bumped up to 16GB.
And while Redmond officials have not revealed further details about Android app support yet, we do know that the tech company is partnering with Amazon and will deliver Android apps via the Amazon App Store.
Via this new update, users will be able to download and install apps such as TikTok, Pinterest, Kindle, and others.
Furthermore, these will act like Windows apps allowing users to pin them to the taskbar, snap with other apps, resize, and lots more.
It’s important to note that none of the details, especially support for Xbox consoles, mentioned in the Microsoft Store listing have been confirmed by the Redmond tech giant itself so it’s highly likely that they will change over time.
So we’re just going to have to wait and see what will happen in the coming months. Remember that Windows 11 is scheduled for rollout starting on the 5th of October.
Remember that you can download Windows Subsystem for Linux from theMicrosoft Storewhenever you want or choose.
Most likely, the native Android support will come to users in early 2022. Are you excited about having this feature on your device? Let us know in the comments section below.
More about the topics:Windows 11
Alexandru Poloboc
Tech Journalist
With an overpowering desire to always get to the bottom of things and uncover the truth, Alex spent most of his time working as a news reporter, anchor, as well as TV and radio entertainment show host.
A certified gadget freak, he always feels the need to surround himself with next-generation electronics.
When he is not working, he splits his free time between making music, gaming, playing football, basketball and taking his dogs on adventures.
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Alexandru Poloboc
Tech Journalist
With a desire to always get to the bottom of things and uncover the truth, Alex spent most of his time working as a news reporter.