Microsoft released WSL 3.0 in late September 2026. The update introduces native support for Linux containers, allowing users to manage them directly via the new wslc tool without requiring Docker Desktop.
The platform now utilizes the Linux 6.18 kernel, which includes hardware support and optimizations for containerized environments. Additionally, the system defaults to the virtiofs file system, which reportedly doubles file access speeds between Windows and Linux.
A new networking model, consomme, has been implemented to route container traffic through Windows. This change aims to resolve connectivity issues previously encountered when using VPNs or proxy servers.
WSL 3.0 is distributed as an MSIX application via the Microsoft Store rather than as a legacy Windows component. This architecture allows for faster updates independent of major Windows OS releases.
Key components of WSL 3.0, including the CLI, services, and WSLg, are now open-source under the MIT license. Microsoft has also opened APIs to allow Windows applications to programmatically launch containers.
