#Linux Kernel

Microsoft has announced that the company will include an in-house custom-built Linux Kernel in Windows. This implementation is the first time that the Linux kernel will be included as a component in Windows to underpin the newest version of the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) -- WSL2. Like with WSL1, WSL2 will not provide any userspace binaries, instead, the Microsoft kernel will interface with userspace selected by the user. The kernel will be based on version 4.19 initially which is the latest stable release of Linux. "This is the culmination of years of effort from the Linux Systems Group as well as multiple other teams across Microsoft. We are excited to be able to share the result and look forward to the new and interesting ways in which you will use WSL." As for security, the WSL kernel will be built using Microsoft's CI/CD systems and serviced through Windows Update that is transparent to the user. The kernel that will be provided for WSL2 will be fully open-sourced. Instructions for creating user's own WSL kernel will be available on Github. Read more in our articles including "Microsoft to ship Linux Kernel in Windows" and "Google replaces Fitbit app with new Google Health app".