Microsoft has officially released Windows Subsystem for Linux 3.0, introducing native support for Linux containers on Windows 11. The update features the new wslc tool, which allows users to create, deploy, and run containers directly without requiring additional virtualization software.
The new version migrates to the Linux 6.18 kernel and optimizes system performance by streamlining drivers and subsystems. By enabling the virtiofs file system by default, Microsoft has doubled the speed of file access between Windows and Linux environments.
Network management is improved with the new consomme mode, which routes Linux traffic through the Windows host. This update ensures compatibility with proxy servers and enterprise network policies, addressing previous deployment challenges in corporate environments.
Microsoft has open-sourced several core components under the MIT license, including command-line tools, background services, and the WSLg graphics stack. The updated container toolkit now supports resource limits, GPU access, and integration with development tools like VS Code.
