Windows 10 integrates Bash to let you run Linux programs

Microsoft has released a new Windows 10 build that allows you to run your favourite Linux programs directly through the Bash command line.

Windows 10 build 14316 provides you a native way to work on Bash. This comes as a result of the partnership that the Redmond giant announced with Ubuntu maker Canonical at its Build 2016 developer conference recently.

As you might be aware, Bash is a UNIX shell that already existed on Linux based platforms. But Microsoft has developed a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) to let you run a genuine Ubuntu user-mode image on your Windows 10 device. “Based on your feedback, we’ve done a couple of things. First, we made investments that improve cmd, PowerShell, and many other command line tools and developer scenarios. Second, we decided to grow our command line family by adding real, native Bash and with it, support for Linux command line tools which run directly on Windows in an environment that behaves like Linux,” said Mike Harsh, principal group program manager at Microsoft, in a blog post.

To enable the Bash command line on your updated Windows 10 build, you need to enable ‘Windows Subsystem for Linux (Beta)’ by choosing the ‘On’ or ‘Off’ options from the ‘Windows Features’ menu.

In addition to Linux programs, you can use the new feature to run Bash scripts and use Linux-first tools such as Ruby, Git and Python, among others. Microsoft also lets you access your Windows file system directly from Bash.

Even though Bash is now just within your Windows 10 system, there are still some gaps. You would not be able to run all your Bash scripts. Additionally, you will not be allowed to transform your Windows device into a server platform to host websites.

Despite having some drawbacks in these initial stages, the Windows 10 build 14316 finally sets a new pitch for software developers. It gives an open source-like experience on the latest Windows platform. Moreover, it gives you a new reason to use Windows as your primary operating system.