Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a feature of Windows that allows you to run a Linux environment on your Windows machine, without the need for a separate virtual machine or dual booting. WSL is designed to provide a seamless and productive experience for developers who want to use both Windows and Linux at the same time.
Publisher’s description
What is Windows Subsystem for Linux?
Windows Subsystem for Linux by Microsoft Corp is open-source Windows software in the virtualisation category. It ranks 26th by popularity among virtualisation in this catalogue. It is written in C++.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides MSI installers for 64-bit and ARM64 Windows. Installation asks for administrator rights. It needs Windows 10 2004 or newer. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches. An MSI package is available for deployment with Group Policy, Intune or Configuration Manager.
Updates and version history
The current version is 2.9.10, released on September 4, 2026. The version history goes back to October 10, 2025: 6 releases, all linked to the official files.
Popularity and file types
The source code on GitHub (microsoft/WSL) has 34,167 stars. Similar programs include Sandboxie, Oracle VirtualBox and Vagrant.
Project description on GitHub: “Windows Subsystem for Linux”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Native ARM64 build for Windows on Arm
- MSI package for managed deployment
- Documented silent install
- Updated in the last two months
- Large user base
Cons
- Installation needs administrator rights
In short: Windows Subsystem for Linux is an open-source virtualisation tool for 64-bit and ARM64 PCs. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is Windows Subsystem for Linux safe to download?
- The file is served by github.com, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
EF9F1DB25C76BF2F191F7E4BD079692ED193907B43F3C34EF26C118ACA487113· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link has not been checked yet
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Recent versions
All 6 versions ›| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.9.10Latest | September 4, 2026 | — | ARM64 MSI64-bit MSI |
| 2.9.9 | August 25, 2026 | — | 64-bit MSIARM64 MSI |
| 2.9.4 | July 13, 2026 | — | 64-bit MSIARM64 MSI |
| 2.7.12 | August 18, 2026 | — | 64-bit MSIARM64 MSI |
| 2.7.0 | December 11, 2025 | — | 64-bit MSIARM64 MSI |
| 2.6.2 | October 10, 2025 | — | 64-bit MSIARM64 MSI |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id Microsoft.WSL.PreRelease -emsiexec /i wsl.2.9.10.0.x64.msi /qn /norestartmsiexec /x {2FF209A7-4525-4EDC-B25A-8A92D4D9BAFE} /qn /norestartRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- Microsoft Corp
- Category
- Virtualisation
- Licence
- MIT
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/microsoft/WSL
- Written in
- C++
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10 (Windows 10 2004+)
- Architecture
- 64-bit, ARM64
- Installer
- MSI
- Version
- 2.9.10
- Released
- September 4, 2026
- Added to the catalogue
- November 6, 2025
- Versions listed
- 6
- GitHub stars
- 34,167
- GitHub forks
- 1,868
- Website
- learn.microsoft.com
- winget ID
- Microsoft.WSL.PreRelease
- MSI product code
- {2FF209A7-4525-4EDC-B25A-8A92D4D9BAFE}
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
Alternatives to Windows Subsystem for Linux
See all ›-
Sandboxie5.73.8Sandboxie is a sandbox-based isolation software for 32- and 64-bit Windows NT-based operating systems.Open source95K ↓ -
Oracle VirtualBox7.2.22VirtualBox is a general-purpose full virtualization software for x86_64 hardware (with version 7.1 additionally for macOS/Arm), targeted at laptop, desktop, server and embedded use.Open source2.3M ↓ -
Proprietary8.9K ↓ -
Open source27.7K ↓ -
Open source421.5K ↓ -
Proprietary19K ↓ -
Open source876 ↓ -
Omnissa Horizon Client8.20.0Connect to your Omnissa Horizon virtual desktop from your device of choice.Proprietary244.2K ↓
Frequently asked questions
Is Windows Subsystem for Linux free?
Yes. Windows Subsystem for Linux is open-source software under the MIT licence.
Is Windows Subsystem for Linux safe to download?
The download comes from github.com, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install Windows Subsystem for Linux with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can Windows Subsystem for Linux be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer, including msiexec for the MSI package.
Which Windows versions does Windows Subsystem for Linux support?
The installer requires Windows 10 2004 or newer and is available for 64-bit and ARM64.
Does Windows Subsystem for Linux run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
Yes, there is a native ARM64 installer.
Where can I download an older version of Windows Subsystem for Linux?
The versions page lists all 6 versions with links to their official installer files, back to October 10, 2025.
What are alternatives to Windows Subsystem for Linux?
Sandboxie, Oracle VirtualBox, Vagrant, Multipass and QEMU. The alternatives page compares them.
