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WSL is a Windows 10 feature that allows you to run Linux applications on the NT kernel. It's not a 100% complete implementation of every Linux kernel API (yet?)

WSL is a Windows 10 feature that allows you to run Linux applications on the NT kernel. It's not a 100% complete implementation of every Linux kernel API (yet?) but it's far enough along that you can run a lot of interesting software. https://www.hanselman.com/blog/TheYearOfLinuxOnTheWindowsDesktopWSLTipsAndTricks.aspx https://www.hanselman.com/blog/TheYearOfLinuxOnTheWindowsDes... Pengwin looks like a Linux distro that removes the parts of a traditional distro that don't make sense in WSL and streamlines things that are still somewhat difficult in WSL, like getting X applications running.

h1d 8y ago
I get it that WSL is easy for anyone to use but why not just run a real Linux in VMware or VirtualBox and you'll have 100% compatible Linux environment. Prebuilt OS image is just a single download and deploy.
- jamesgeck0 8y ago
  Because I don't need a 100% compatible environment. WSL has better host integration and better performance in my experience, and it runs my development stack fine.
  - GordonS 8y ago
    Was going to say much the same thing, plus it starts instantaneously, vs a minimum of several seconds for a VM