Windows Subsystem for Linux lets users run Linux environments within the Windows operating system.
Open source
14 alternativesWayland / X Server
WSLg adds support for Wayland and X server scenarios to the Windows Subsystem for Linux.
About Wayland / X Server
WSLg, short for Windows Subsystem for Linux GUI, enables running Linux GUI applications using X11 and Wayland on Windows. Linux applications appear in the Start Menu, taskbar and alt-tab switching, with cut and paste between Windows and Linux applications.
It is supported on Windows 11 and fully updated Windows 10, and only works with distributions running in WSL 2 mode. The project recommends the Microsoft Store version of WSL and an updated graphics driver for GPU acceleration.
Key features
- Run X11 and Wayland Linux GUI apps on Windows
- Launch Linux apps from Windows Start Menu
- Show Linux apps in taskbar and alt-tab switching
- Cut and paste between Windows and Linux apps
- Use GPU acceleration with updated graphics driver
- Install via wsl --install or wsl --update commands
Best for: Developers, scientists and enthusiasts who use Windows but need tools that work in Linux.
Good for
- Supports both Windows 10 and Windows 11
- Integrates Linux apps with Start Menu, taskbar and clipboard
- Open source repository
Watch out for
- Only compatible with WSL 2, not distributions in WSL 1 mode
- Windows 10 installations must be fully updated
- GPU acceleration requires an updated driver from the manufacturer
Wayland / X Server at a glance
- Website
- github.com/microsoft/wslg
- Category
- Software & Utilities › Virtualization
- Type
- Open-source project
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Linux, Windows
- Open source
- Yes · Source code
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
Wayland / X Server alternatives
Tools and sites you could use instead, ranked by how closely they match.
Quickemu creates and runs optimized virtual machines for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
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Distrod installs Linux distributions in WSL 2 and includes an automatic startup feature.
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Blink provides a compact emulator for running x86-64 Linux programs, according to its project description.
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winevdm runs 16-bit Windows applications on 64-bit systems, including older Windows software.
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virt-manager is a desktop tool for managing virtual machines through libvirt.
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12 alternativesPopular in Virtualization
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Wayland / X Server FAQ
Which Windows versions support WSLg?
Windows 11 and Windows 10. Windows 10 installations must be fully updated through Windows Update.
Does WSLg work with WSL 1?
No. WSLg is only compatible with WSL 2. Distributions in WSL 1 mode cannot communicate with WSLg or run GUI applications.
How do I update an existing WSL installation to get WSLg?
Run wsl --update from an elevated command prompt, then restart WSL with wsl --shutdown.
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