WSL September 2023 update brings with it a lot of new features

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) has reached version 2.0. The release comes with a good pack of new experimental features, such as auto memory reclaim, automatic disk space clean up, a new Mirrored networking mode, and much more.

What's new in Windows Subsystem for Linux 2.0

Experimental features:

• The autoMemoryReclaim feature allows the WSL virtual machine to reduce its memory usage by reclaiming cached memory during usage.
• The Sparse VHD feature automatically shrinks the virtual hard disk of the WSL as it is being used.
• The Mirrored networking mode enhances network compatibility and introduces new features for the WSL.
• The dnsTunneling feature modifies how WSL resolves DNS requests to improve network compatibility.
• The firewall feature applies Windows firewall rules to the WSL and provides advanced firewall controls for the WSL virtual machine.
• Finally, the autoProxy feature enables WSL to use proxy information from Windows automatically, thereby improving network compatibility.

To activate them, create a .wslconfig file in your Windows home directory (e.g: C:\Users\<yourusername>\.wslconfig) and add the following section to the file.

[experimental]
autoMemoryReclaim=gradual | dropcache | disabled
networkingMode=mirrored
dnsTunneling=true
firewall=true
autoProxy=true

Other changes

• Store WSL is now accessible from Session 0 (solves #9231)
• All binaries shipped in the WSL package are now signed
• Introduce experimental.autoMemoryReclaim setting to %USERPROFILE%\.wslconfig
• Prompt the user to enable VMP if HNS isn't available on the machine
• Fix localhost relay failing if ipv6 is disabled
• Improve error message for WSL1 disabled policy to provide upgrade instructions
• Fix microk8s scenario for mirrored networking
• Create shared mounts when init sets up the distro namespace (solves #10410)
• Detach user block devices before terminating the VM
• Protect '.wslconfig' from being incorrectly translated
• Add logic to generate a systemd unit to protect the binfmt interpreter (solves #8843)
• Fix potential wslservice.exe crash.
• Retry plan9 mounts on IO error
• Update Microsoft.WSL.Kernel version 5.15.123.1-1
• Display a notification prompting the user to install missing optional components
• Add --manage <distro_name> --set-sparse to wsl.exe
• Fix various issues with the 'Update available' notification logic
• Update WSLg to 1.0.57
  • WSL GUI apps now have Windows snapping with the keyboard (Press WIN + an arrow key to snap to the side)
• Update MSRDC to 1.2.4485

Source

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