Microsoft Expands Their Windows Subsystem for Linux Offerings With AlmaLinux
Anyone who works with Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) will now find a new addition to the available distributions, one that’s become the front-runner replacement for CentOS.
It wasn't an April Fool's prank when Microsoft announced the addition of AlmaLinux to the line of distributions available for WSL. From the Microsoft Store, it's now possible to download a version of AlmaLinux to run on Windows.
AlmaLinux now joins the growing list of Linux distributions for WSL that includes Ubuntu, OpenSuse Leap, Kali Linux, Debian, Oracle Linux, and Suse Linux Enterprise. This server-centric Linux distribution came into being soon after it was announced that CentOS would be migrating to CentOS Stream back in 2020.
A quick search in the Microsoft Store makes it easy to download and install AlmaLinux 8 for WSL. Just make sure your host system is a PC with either ARM64 or x86 architecture, includes more than 4GB of RAM, and already has Windows Subsystem for Linux installed. The download of AlmaLinux is a svelt 83MB and can run on either Windows 10 or 11. If you don’t already have WSL installed on Windows, open Powershell (with elevated privileges) and issue the command wsl --install.
Although this has yet to be announced on the official AlmaLinux blog, the distribution is officially available in the Microsoft Store and can be added to WSL for free.
Issue 270/2023
Buy this issue as a PDF
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Find SysAdmin Jobs
News
-
CarbonOS: A New Linux Distro with a Focus on User Experience
CarbonOS is a brand new, built-from-scratch Linux distribution that uses the Gnome desktop and has a special feature that makes it appealing to all types of users.
-
Kubuntu Focus Announces XE Gen 2 Linux Laptop
Another Kubuntu-based laptop has arrived to be your next ultra-portable powerhouse with a Linux heart.
-
MNT Seeks Financial Backing for New Seven-Inch Linux Laptop
MNT Pocket Reform is a tiny laptop that is modular, upgradable, recyclable, reusable, and ships with Debian Linux.
-
Ubuntu Flatpak Remix Adds Flatpak Support Preinstalled
If you're looking for a version of Ubuntu that includes Flatpak support out of the box, there's one clear option.
-
Gnome 44 Release Candidate Now Available
The Gnome 44 release candidate has officially arrived and adds a few changes into the mix.
-
Flathub Vying to Become the Standard Linux App Store
If the Flathub team has any say in the matter, their product will become the default tool for installing Linux apps in 2023.
-
Debian 12 to Ship with KDE Plasma 5.27
The Debian development team has shifted to the latest version of KDE for their testing branch.
-
Planet Computers Launches ARM-based Linux Desktop PCs
The firm that originally released a line of mobile keyboards has taken a different direction and has developed a new line of out-of-the-box mini Linux desktop computers.
-
Ubuntu No Longer Shipping with Flatpak
In a move that probably won’t come as a shock to many, Ubuntu and all of its official spins will no longer ship with Flatpak installed.
-
openSUSE Leap 15.5 Beta Now Available
The final version of the Leap 15 series of openSUSE is available for beta testing and offers only new software versions.