WSL is good, but it’s still not enough for me to go back to Windows
WSL is good, but it’s still not enough for me to go back to Windows
https://www.howtogeek.com/wsl-is-good-but-its-still-not-enough-for-me-to-go-back-to-windows/
Publish Date: 2026-02-21 11:31:00
Source Domain: www.howtogeek.com
I hear sometimes from Windows users who find no use for installing Linux on bare metal thanks to how advanced and usable WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) has become. I’m happy they found a workflow that works for them, but here’s why Windows simply doesn’t offer me enough to coax me over.
WSL has admittedly improved over the years
Since WSL’s first iteration was released ten years ago in 2016, the application has come a long way, I can admit. It’s matured from being an incomplete compatibility layer to boasting an actual Linux kernel that’s run in a virtual machine so that essentially any Linux app can run on it.
From what I’ve read, many people find WSL’s current state to be good enough for the work that they need to get done with Linux apps. I have no problem with this. In fact, I think it’s a testament to Linux’s flexibility that someone can run Windows as their main operating system but still benefit from everything Linux has to offer.
The trouble is, I’ve meanwhile moved over to Linux full-time. If WSL is good enough to satisfy a Linux user, then Windows is going to have to offer me enough to make a transition back to its platform worth it.
The apps I need work on pure Linux
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