Azure Linux Desktop
5 hours ago
- #Microsoft Build 2026
- #Windows Container Technology
- #Linux Desktop Integration
- Azure Linux 'Desktop' is a Windows app that boots a Linux desktop in a window using a container.
- The app uses four Build 2026 components: wslc container API, WinUI Reactor, Azure Linux 4.0, and .NET 10.
- wslc runs OCI containers natively in Windows; the app uses its API to manage containers.
- WinUI Reactor allows building WinUI 3 interfaces without XAML, using composable C# functions.
- Azure Linux 4.0 is based on Fedora 43; desktop packages like XFCE are added from Fedora repositories.
- The app targets .NET 10 and WinUI 3, packaged via Windows App SDK for easy builds.
- It works by starting a container running XFCE behind XRDP, connecting via Windows RDP client.
- Hacks include real composition for boot spinner, hosting RDP control under WinUI, and clock synchronization.
- Tips include rasterizing SVG icons, adding audio via compiled modules, and using nostalgic Bluecurve theme.
- Building requires compiling unstable WSL, prerequisites like .NET 10 SDK, and building the container image.