WSL container is now available for public preview
6 hours ago
- #Linux Containers
- #WSL
- #Windows Development
- Microsoft introduced WSL containers at Build 2026, enabling Linux container development directly on Windows through WSL without third-party tools.
- WSL containers include a new CLI (wslc.exe) for end-to-end workflows and an API for Windows apps to integrate Linux containers programmatically.
- The feature is available in the latest WSL pre-release, installable via wsl --update --pre-release or GitHub.
- WSL container CLI supports familiar commands, aliases for container.exe, and runs full Linux desktops or GPU-accelerated workloads.
- A NuGet package provides API support for C, C++, and C#, integrating with MSBuild and CMake for automated container builds.
- Security and management enhancements include Microsoft Defender for Endpoint monitoring for containers and Intune/GPO controls for distro and registry allowlists.
- VS Code dev containers now support WSLc in pre-release, with setup via Docker Path settings.
- Underlying improvements include faster virtiofs file system, new 'consomme' networking mode for compatibility, and better memory reclaim.
- WSL containers aim for general availability in fall 2026, with feedback welcomed via GitHub.