Windows 10: Alternatives to using Windows Store to install Linux distro on WSL

OsmanZakir · May 14, 2019

I just wanted to ask what alternatives there are to using the Windows 10 to install Linux distros on WSL.

Also, it seems like Ubuntu 19 isn't available for the WSL. Is there a chance that we'll be able to install it when WSL2 is released? And I'd like to get the latest non-LTS version if possible (though it's alright if it's not possible too).

:)

Brink · May 14, 2019

Sideloading Custom Linux Distro to Windows 10 Subsystem for Linux

We are happy to announce that we have open sourced a WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) sample for Linux distribution maintainers. This sample allows distro maintainers to build WSL distro packages for the Microsoft Store and developers to create custom Linux distro packages for sideloading. You can find the distro launcher repo on GitHub.

This project enables:

Linux distribution maintainers to package and submit a Linux distribution as an appx that runs on WSL

Developers to create custom Linux distributions that can be sideloaded onto their dev machine

We know that many Linux distros rely entirely on open source software, so we would like to bring WSL closer to the OSS community. We hope open sourcing this project will help increase community engagement and bring more of your favorite distros to the Microsoft Store.

First, a little background on how we distribute Linux distros for WSL. We distribute Linux distros for WSL as UWP applications through the Microsoft Store. You can install those applications that will then run on WSL - the subsystem that sits in the Windows kernel. This delivery mechanism has many benefits as discussed in an earlier blog post.

Sideloading a Custom Linux Distro Package

You can create a custom Linux distro package as an application to sideload on your personal machine. Please note that your custom package would not be distributed through the Microsoft Store unless you submit as a distribution maintainer.

To set up your machine to sideload apps, you will need to enable this in the system settings under “For Developers”. Be sure to either have developer mode, or sideload apps selected.

For Linux Distro Maintainers

To submit to the Store, you will need to work with us to receive publishing approval. If you are a Linux distribution owner interested in adding your distribution to the Microsoft Store, please contact L: wslpartners@microsoft.com.

Thanks & Feedback

A big thanks to our Linux partners for helping provide feedback on the sample. Please visit the Distro Launcher repo to start creating distro packages for WSL. We hope you can use this sample to create custom Linux distros for more of your WSL needs!

Be sure to let us know how you use the Distro Launcher for WSL by submitting issues on our sample GitHub repo and Tweeting us at #WSL - @tara_msft and @benhillis.
Click to expand...

Source: Open Sourcing a WSL Sample for Linux Distribution Maintainers and Sideloading Custom Linux Distributions Windows Command Line Tools For Developers

Brink · May 14, 2019

Using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) in an Enterprise

Recently, customers in an enterprise environment have asked if there is a way to install WSL without an internet connection. These companies had some machines that would benefit from having WSL, but don't have an internet connection for security, logistics, or other reasons.

Enter: The Microsoft Store for Business

We (the WSL team) took a look into this issue and found that enterprises could use the Microsoft Store for Business to help deploy WSL distros to their company, including offline distribution! The Microsoft Store for Business is essentially another way to interact with the Microsoft Store, but from an enterprise administrator perspective. This includes tools like acquiring licenses for apps for your company, controlling which users can access which apps, and even providing a custom private company store which has a collection of apps that only your employees can view, and download.

To actually enable offline distribution, any distro owner needs to have elected to have 'offline licensing' available on their distro app. Luckily, many of our distro creators have already enabled offline licensing. At the time of writing this article this includes:

Kali Linux

Ubuntu (Including 16.04 and 18.04)

Debian

For More Information

The customers who originally asked about installing WSL in an offline mode have verified that our solution works for them! We realized that this information would be useful to all enterprise customers, so we added a new page to the WSL docs: 'Windows Subsystem for Linux for Enterprise'. This doc provides helpful resources on how to use the Microsoft Store for Business to deploy WSL to your company, as well as step by step instructions on how to acquire the offline installer for a distro of your choice.

Please take a look, and as always give us any feedback that you may have!
Click to expand...

Source: Using WSL in an Enterprise Windows Command Line Tools For Developers

johngalt · May 14, 2019

Export and Import Windows Subsystem for Linux WSL Distro in Windows 10

Actually, I just found this:

Build a Custom Linux Distro for WSL | Microsoft Docs

Time to play a bit.

Windows 10: Alternatives to using Windows Store to install Linux distro on WSL

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