Windows 10 gets Linux file integration in File Explorer

[Hanno Labuschagne]

Windows 10 gets Linux file integration in File Explorer

The latest version of Microsoft’s Insider Preview Build includes a feature that allows users to directly access their Linux files in File Explorer.

There were previously several workarounds for this. Microsoft added a safe function which allowed Linux users to view files in their distros (distributions) in File Explorer with Windows 10 version 1903.

The feature uses Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), a compatibility layer which allows Windows 10 users to run Linux executables natively.

 

[etienne_marais]

coolness

 

[konfab]

The Linux kernel will be available via Windows Update.

What a time to be alive.

Honestly, the way MS is going, we are probably going to see a Microsoft kernel extension for Linux

 

[redspark]

Watch out, Microsoft will soon own Linus Linux

 

[BigAl-sa]

Just as a matter of interest, what are these files that windoze can suddenly read?

 

[karnuffel]

My home PC (dual boot) runs a Windows insider build and I havent had much issues. I use it to download the odd torrent and play WoW.

Honestly, I rarely notice the changes that they make, unless its one that breaks Windows, which has happend twice now.

Guess Ill go and look for it once I have updated, just to see how it works..

 

[TheMightyQuin]

Windows 10 gets Linux file integration in File Explorer

The latest version of Microsoft’s Insider Preview Build includes a feature that allows users to directly access their Linux files in File Explorer.

There were previously several workarounds for this. Microsoft added a safe function which allowed Linux users to view files in their distros (distributions) in File Explorer with Windows 10 version 1903.

The feature uses Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), a compatibility layer which allows Windows 10 users to run Linux executables natively.

What would be the point?

 

[milomak]

What would be the point?

some of us dual boot. and windows is not our main os.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Just as a matter of interest, what are these files that windoze can suddenly read?

It would be anything living on the (presumably unencrypted) file system.

The benefit being you can get to it and use it directly without restarting.

My question is rather who still stores things locally that require this kind of use case?

 

[TheMightyQuin]

some of us dual boot. and windows is not our main os.

Defeats the "purpose" doesn't it?

 

[rustypup]

Given that they just borked SMB again, this sound like another awesome attack vector.

 

[milomak]

Defeats the "purpose" doesn't it?

how so? when i am in windows i may still want to access files that are on my linux install

 

[susefan]

Defeats the "purpose" doesn't it?

I have both Windows 10 and Opensuse Linux on my laptop, dual boot. I prefer Linux to windows but there is this app that will only run on windows. The app generates files that I will need when I switch to linux. If I can save these files in Linux fs while working in windows it will save me time. Saving most of the files in linux fs will also be useful because it will be easier to back them up once I switch to Linux side. Linux has a very good backup tool, rsync, without equivalence in windows.

 

[BigAl-sa]

how so? when i am in windows i may still want to access files that are on my linux install

Why can't you put windoze in a virtualbox running under linux? You can share whatever you want through the virtualbox.

 

[milomak]

Why can't you put windoze in a virtualbox running under linux? You can share whatever you want through the virtualbox.

Good luck playing graphic intensive games

 

[BigAl-sa]

Good luck playing graphic intensive games

That's got nothing to do with the files you said you need to access?

 

[milomak]

That's got nothing to do with the files you said you need to access?

Are you saying I can't be in Windows playing a game and then have a need to access a file on my Linux install?