Windows Subsystem Archives

Winsage

September 15, 2025

The Performance Cost To Ubuntu WSL2 On Windows 11 25H2

Benchmarks comparing WSL2 on Windows 11 and bare metal Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS were conducted using an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB PCIe Gen 5 NVMe SSD. WSL2 showed significant limitations in I/O performance, particularly with SQLite, impacting I/O-intensive tasks. For CPU workloads, WSL2 could match or slightly lag behind bare metal Ubuntu, with extended build times for larger projects in WSL2. OpenSSL performed better under WSL2, while Node.js experienced a minor performance hit. Perl scripts ran faster on bare metal Ubuntu, but Python scripting and PHP performance favored WSL2. PostgreSQL and web servers like Apache and Nginx showed significant overhead in WSL2, making it less suitable for production. Overall, WSL2 achieved about 87% of the performance of bare metal Ubuntu across more than 50 benchmarks, indicating its viability for developers using Windows 11, especially for local testing and development.

Winsage

August 27, 2025

WSL made using my Windows 11 PC so much easier, here’s how

The author has used both Windows and Linux for two decades, with Windows as the primary operating system and Linux for experimentation. The introduction of the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) has eliminated the need for dual-booting and virtual machines, allowing the author to use Linux apps and commands directly within Windows. WSL simplifies file sharing between Windows and Linux, making it easy to access documents and directories across both systems. The transition from WSL on Windows 10 to WSL2 on Windows 11 has further improved file management. WSL functions as a lightweight alternative to resource-heavy virtual machines, offering quick boot-up times and efficient performance. The author can install and run multiple WSL distributions, primarily using Ubuntu but also keeping an Arch installation for experimentation.

Winsage

August 3, 2025

Microsoft to Open-Source WinUI Components for Windows 11

Microsoft Corp. plans to open-source key components of the Windows 11 user interface framework, WinUI, over the next six months. This initiative aims to enhance transparency and collaboration, driven by demands from developers and the tech community. The process involves carefully disentangling publishable code from sensitive areas to ensure system security and protect intellectual property. Industry observers believe this could empower developers to customize Windows interfaces, potentially accelerating innovation in app design. Microsoft is adopting a phased approach, starting with isolating components and establishing new governance models for contributions. Developer feedback indicates cautious optimism, with hopes for quicker bug fixes and feature additions, though concerns about the scope of the initiative persist. Microsoft intends to share more details and potentially previews of open-sourced repositories on GitHub. Balancing openness with user data security and system integrity remains a critical challenge for the company.

Winsage

July 28, 2025

Windows 10 is turning 10: Here are top 10 features and changes it introduced

Windows 10, approaching its tenth anniversary on July 29, has played a significant role in Microsoft's history as mainstream support nears its end. Key achievements include: 1. The Windows Insider Program, launched in late 2014, allowed over 1 million users to provide feedback on Windows development. 2. Windows 10 was the first version that allowed free upgrades from Windows 7 and 8.1, resulting in over 350 million devices upgraded in the first year. 3. It introduced the concept of "Windows as a Service," with bi-annual feature updates. 4. The activation process was improved by linking licenses to Microsoft accounts, allowing users to retain licenses after hardware changes. 5. The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) was introduced in 2017, enabling users to run Linux applications directly within Windows. 6. Windows Hello provided a modern biometric authentication method, supporting facial recognition and fingerprint scanners. 7. The Start menu was redesigned to combine elements from Windows 7 and 8, receiving positive feedback. 8. The Xbox Play Anywhere program allowed users to purchase games once and play them on both PC and Xbox, syncing progress across platforms. 9. Microsoft Defender was included as a built-in antivirus solution, offering robust protection. 10. A proper dark mode was introduced, enhancing user experience, especially for those working late or using OLED displays.

Winsage

July 23, 2025

3 easy ways to turn Windows Terminal shells from drab to drip — customize both PowerShell and WSL with these same tools

- The Starship prompt enhances the command line experience with a sleek design, customization options, and compatibility across different shells. It requires a NerdFont for effective operation and can be installed via the Windows Package Manager for PowerShell or various package managers for WSL. Configuration involves adding specific commands to shell profiles and creating a configuration file. - Fastfetch is a lightweight system information display tool that serves as a modern alternative to Neofetch, supporting both Windows and Linux. Installation can be done through various package managers, and configuration is achieved by generating a config file. - Windows Terminal on Windows 11 can be customized for a more personalized experience, including theme changes, font adjustments, and transparency. Customizations can be made via the GUI or by editing a JSON configuration file. - To use Starship and Fastfetch upon startup in PowerShell, a PowerShell profile must be created using a specific command, allowing users to add necessary commands for these tools.

Winsage

June 28, 2025

5 reasons I prefer this distro over Ubuntu as a Windows-to-Linux convert

Transitioning from Windows to Linux can be challenging due to the variety of distributions available. Users often experiment with different options using virtual machines or dual-boot setups. Ubuntu is a popular choice, especially within the Windows Subsystem for Linux and Hyper-V, but Zorin OS is highlighted as a more seamless alternative for users familiar with Windows. Zorin OS provides a desktop experience similar to Windows, making it user-friendly for new Linux users. It allows customization of the taskbar's position, reminiscent of earlier Windows versions. Zorin OS also supports running Windows applications through preconfigured Wine and Bottles, simplifying the process compared to Ubuntu. Zorin OS performs well on older hardware, with its Lite version using the XFCE desktop environment to enhance responsiveness, unlike Ubuntu, which can be sluggish on legacy systems. Zorin Connect enables integration with Android devices, allowing users to sync notifications and control their desktop from mobile devices. Zorin OS is noted for its minimalist approach, optimizing resource usage and avoiding unnecessary applications, particularly in its Lite version. The author currently prefers Zorin OS over Ubuntu Core for its user-friendly design and performance but remains open to exploring other Linux distributions.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Microsoft removed this feature from Windows, and it’s time to bring it back

Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) was introduced during the Windows 10 era to allow users to run Android applications on their PCs but was removed in Windows 11. Despite Microsoft's withdrawal, there remains a strong demand for Android app capabilities on Windows, as evidenced by the popularity of platforms like Bluestacks and Google's Google Play Games app for Windows. The initial implementation of WSA faced criticism due to poor execution and limited geographic availability, which hindered user access. Users had to navigate through the Microsoft Store to install the Amazon Appstore, complicating the process. The partnership with Amazon restricted the range of available applications, leading to user frustration, as many popular apps required Google services. Performance issues also affected WSA, with users facing resource consumption trade-offs. Microsoft's adjustments to allow some Android services to run in the background were a step forward, but the initial setup could have been more efficient. The discontinuation of WSA left many users puzzled, and there is hope for its reintroduction with improvements in the future.

Winsage

June 14, 2025

LibreOffice backs campaign to help users move from Windows 10 to Linux – and ditch Office, too

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, prompting users to consider upgrading to Windows 11 or exploring alternatives like Linux. The End of 10 initiative aims to guide users toward affordable options, particularly Linux and LibreOffice, as many existing Windows 10 devices may not meet Windows 11's hardware requirements. The transition to Windows 11 may also lead to increased costs and reduced user autonomy due to its cloud-centric design. LibreOffice, an open-source productivity suite, offers essential tools without licensing fees and promotes open standards, though compatibility with Microsoft Office documents may vary. The Document Foundation suggests three steps for transitioning to Linux and LibreOffice: testing the new platform, assessing software compatibility, and providing training for users.

Winsage

June 5, 2025

5 Windows terminal tricks I use to improve my productivity

Windows Terminal is a productivity tool in Windows 11 that allows users to manage multiple profiles, such as Windows PowerShell and Linux distributions, within the same window. Users can rename and recolor tabs for easier navigation. The Command Palette, activated by Ctrl+Shift+P, provides a searchable interface for commands, simplifying execution without needing to memorize shortcuts. Focus mode hides the title bar and tabs for distraction-free use and can be set as the default launch option. The split pane feature enables users to display multiple profiles simultaneously, enhancing multitasking. Quake mode keeps the terminal visible at the top of the screen, minimizing distractions and allowing easy access to other applications.

Winsage

May 24, 2025

Best Windows apps this week

Microsoft has open-sourced the Windows Subsystem for Linux to improve Linux integration within the Windows environment. This week, there are various discounts on new applications and games available on the Microsoft Store. Notable new or improved applications include: - Edit: An open-source application from Microsoft, currently available as a standalone tool, designed for 64-bit Windows users with basic functionality and support for multiple file operations. - Everything: A search application that outperforms Windows Search, with the latest version enhancing defenses against DLL hijacking. - Fixyfier: A lightweight utility that provides access to essential repair features for troubleshooting and optimizing Windows systems.