this post was submitted on 19 May 2025
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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What exactly is a windows subsystem? Is it like VM?
Pretty much. It's hyper-v under the hood giving you a linux VM that's integrated just enough to keep up some sort of linux workflow. I'm happy to shit on it as much as the next person, but for many who are locked into a ms corporate ecosystem because work policy, it's a decent little window in your jail cell.
So if I use a subsystem of linux in windows, then i wouldn't risk losing data and it would be much more efficient than VM?
It's not going to randomly disappear your data, but I don't particularly trust it either. As with anything, keep to a back up strategy. As far as efficiency goes, if you bear in mind it is still a VM but with most of the configuration hidden away for a simpler experience, I would say it is more convenient than a VM under virtualbox or vmware player, especially if you have no need for a full linux desktop environment.