Yes, Canonical announced the general availability of Ubuntu Pro for WSL just a few days ago, bringing extended security updates, compliance features, and enterprise-grade support to Ubuntu 24.04 LTS running inside Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).
This is a big win for developers and IT teams who rely on WSL for a lightweight Linux environment without leaving Windows.
What Does It Offer?
• Security Maintenance: Up to 10 years of updates for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, including live kernel patching and FIPS compliance—free for personal use on up to 5 machines.
• Enterprise Tools: Centralized management for admins, like enforcing Pro attachments on startup, plus integration with tools like Landscape for fleet management.
• Seamless Integration: It’s a dedicated Windows app that automates attaching your Ubuntu Pro subscription to WSL instances, no manual config needed.
This builds on the strong partnership between Canonical and Microsoft, making Ubuntu even more appealing for Windows-based workflows like CI/CD testing, Kubernetes dev, or GUI app building with WSLg.
How to Get Started
1. Install from Microsoft Store: Search for “Ubuntu Pro for WSL” in the Store app (or grab it directly here). It’s compatible with Windows 10 (build 19041+) or Windows 11.
2. Set Up WSL: If you haven’t already, enable WSL via wsl --install in PowerShell, then install Ubuntu from the Microsoft Store.
3. Attach Pro: Launch the Ubuntu Pro app, sign in with your Ubuntu One account (or create a free subscription at ubuntu.com/pro), and it handles the rest. Run pro attach in your WSL terminal to verify.
4. For Enterprises: Download images from Canonical for internal distribution if your org blocks the Store.
For a quick demo, check out this official setup video. If you’re hitting any snags or want pricing deets for larger teams, head to the Ubuntu WSL page or the GitHub repo for troubleshooting. Exciting times for hybrid Linux-Windows setups! What’s your setup like—diving into this for work or play?