Windows Subsystem for Linux 3 gives developers a compelling reason to stick with Microsoft - here's why

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• WSL 3 makes Linux on Windows more powerful.
• Linux gets more direct access to GPUs and NPUs.
• A pure Linux desktop is still best for AI devs.

Microsoft takes one more step towards a Linux desktop with the beta release of the open-source Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) 3.

At Microsoft Build 2026 in San Francisco, Microsoft introduced WSL 3 as the next stage in its Linux-on-Windows story. The company presented the system as a preview feature that will roll out to the broader Windows 11 base over time. Like previous versions, you get the system as a free component that can be updated independently of Windows through the existing WSL distribution channels, rather than as a separate product SKU.

Also: Microsoft continues its big Linux push at Build 2026

WSL 3 is not a clean...

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