Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)
v3.0.3Open sourceReleased 9 Oct 2026
Run Ubuntu and other Linux distributions directly on Windows. By Microsoft Corporation
- Windows
By the ToolsBharat teamUpdated 9 Oct 2026How we check
Quick answer
Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is open source software for Windows from Microsoft Corporation. Run Ubuntu and other Linux distributions directly on Windows. Download it only from learn.microsoft.com. The latest version we track is 3.0.3 (9 Oct 2026). ToolsBharat links straight to the publisher's own download page, with no bundled offers.
- Latest version:
- 3.0.3 (9 Oct 2026)
- Publisher:
- Microsoft Corporation
- Official site:
- learn.microsoft.com
- Licence:
- Open source — MIT
- Requirements:
- Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later, or Windows 11
Our verdict
The quickest way to get a real Linux shell on Windows: one 'wsl --install' command in an admin PowerShell sets it up with Ubuntu. It is open source, and Microsoft publishes MSI packages on GitHub for offline installs. Docker Desktop and VS Code's remote tools build on it.
Key features
- Install with 'wsl --install'
- Choose Ubuntu, Debian, Kali, openSUSE and more
- Linux GUI apps and GPU acceleration
- MSI packages on GitHub for x64 and ARM64
Pros
- Pro: Real Linux tools without a dual boot
- Pro: Open source
Cons
- Con: Accessing Windows files from Linux is slower
- Con: Needs virtualization enabled in BIOS
What's new in 3.0.3
See what changed in 3.0.3 in the official release notes
Version history
Version 3.0.3Latest
9 Oct 2026 · 367.6 MB- SHA-256
- The developer does not publish one
- Source
- Release notes
Requirements
- OS
- Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later, or Windows 11
- Architecture
- 64-bit, ARM64
Licence
- Type
- Open source
- Licence
- MIT
- Publisher
- learn.microsoft.com
Where these facts come from
Checked 30 Oct 2026
FAQ
How do I install WSL?
Open PowerShell as administrator, run 'wsl --install', then restart. Ubuntu is installed by default; use 'wsl --install -d <name>' for another distribution.
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Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)
3.0.3 · 367.6 MB