Official Arch Linux WSL Image Released For Windows OS

Have you ever wanted to try or use Arch Linux but need to stick with Windows for work or your main computer? Good news! Arch Linux now has an official image specifically for Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). This makes it much easier to run Arch Linux directly from your Windows 10 and 11 systems.

Before this official release, if you wanted Arch Linux on WSL, you had to find unofficial versions, which weren't always reliable or up-to-date. Now, there's a dependable option straight from Arch Linux itself.

What is WSL?

WSL (stands for Windows Subsystem for Linux) is a compatibility layer to run a real Linux environment right inside Windows. It's super helpful for developers, system administrators, or anyone who needs Linux tools and doesn't want to switch operating systems completely.

Many popular Linux distributions such as AlmaLinux, Debian, Fedora, Oracle Linux, SUSE/openSUSE, and Ubuntu are already available for WSL. Now Arch Linux has officially joined that club!

Benefits

An official Arch Linux WSL image can be helpful for a few reasons:

• Easy Access: It provides a straightforward way for people to try Arch Linux without needing a separate computer or virtualization software. It makes Arch Linux more "discoverable" for everyone.
• Reliability: You get an image built and maintained by Arch Linux team, ensuring better quality compared to various unofficial versions.
• Workaround for Windows Users: For those who must use Windows for work due to company rules, WSL with an official Arch image is a great way to access the Linux environment they need.

How to Run Arch Linux in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

Running Arch Linux in WSL is quite simple!

Open the Powershell in your Windows system and search if Arch Linux is available in WSL using command:

wsl --list --online

You should see the Arch Linux in the list.

To install Arch Linux WSL image, simply run the following command in PowerShell on Windows:

wsl --install archlinux

This command downloads and sets up the latest Arch Linux automatically.

Alternatively, if you are using WSL 2.4.4 or newer, you can download the .wsl image file and simply double-click it to install.

Once installed, you can launch Arch Linux from the Windows Start Menu or by running the following command in the Powershell prompt:

wsl -d archlinux

Please note that that these official images are built specifically for WSL 2. WSL 1 is not supported.

Arch Linux distributes these images through its own network of mirrors, not the Microsoft Store. This decision was made due to concerns about the Store's terms and conditions and how they relate to Arch Linux's trademarks.

Meet the Person Behind the Project

A key person who made this happen is Robin Candau, also known as Antiz. He's a Linux system and DevOps engineer and an Arch Linux Package Maintainer.

Robin started the discussion, proposed the formal plan (called an RFC), built the system to create the images, and worked with Microsoft to get the image listed for easy installation.

How it's Maintained and Where to Get Help

The images are automatically built and released every month using an automated system (GitLab CI pipeline). These builds are based on the Arch Linux root file system and include specific configurations for WSL.

If you need help, technical support is available directly from the project's dedicated GitLab repository. Remember, this support is primarily for WSL2 users and is offered on a "best effort" basis.

The Arch Wiki page related to WSL has also been made editable again, so the community can share helpful tips and troubleshooting steps.

Conclusion

The release of an official Arch Linux image for WSL is a fantastic step, making the Arch Linux distribution more accessible than ever for Windows users.

Thanks to the efforts of people like Robin Candau and collaboration with Microsoft, getting started with Arch Linux on Windows is now much simpler and more reliable.

Kudos to Robin and the Arch Linux team to made this happen! And also special thanks to Microsoft Windows team for bringing Arch Linux to Windows OS.

The Windows users can now proudly say: I use Arch, btw!

Resource:

• Arch Linux Now Has an Official WSL Image