WSL Containers Public Preview: Native Linux Containers on Windows Without Docker

Microsoft released the public preview of WSL containers in June 2026. This new feature allows running Linux containers directly on Windows without installing Docker Desktop. The main improvement is the adoption of the virtiofs filesystem, which speeds up Windows file access by up to 2x.

📑Table of Contents

1. Overview and Background of WSL Containers
2. Performance Gains from the virtiofs Filesystem
3. Using the wslc CLI and API
4. Installation Steps and Prerequisites
5. Limitations and Future Plans
6. Frequently Asked Questions
7. Comparison Table
8. Summary

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Overview and Background of WSL Containers

Previously, WSL 2 required separate tools like Docker Desktop for container execution. WSL containers (wslc) integrate container runtime into WSL itself, eliminating the need for additional runtimes. According to the official Microsoft Dev Blog, a dedicated CLI (wslc.exe) and API are provided, enabling native Linux container operations from Windows applications.

This change simplifies development environment setup. In enterprise settings, it avoids Docker Desktop licensing and resource overhead. The public preview is available in the WSL 2.9.3 pre-release.

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Performance Gains from the virtiofs Filesystem

virtiofs has been introduced as the new default filesystem. Compared to the previous 9p filesystem, it delivers up to 2x faster access to Windows-side files. Microsoft’s announcement states that file I/O latency is significantly reduced, making container file operations noticeably faster.

virtiofs is a virtio-based shared filesystem optimized for WSL containers. It shows clear benefits in I/O-intensive tasks such as source code builds and log output. Benchmark numbers are available in the official blog.

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Using the wslc CLI and API

The wslc CLI is provided as wslc.exe and supports basic container operations from the command line. The API is accessible via the NuGet package “Microsoft.WSL.Containers” for C#, C++, and WinRT.

Examples include starting/stopping containers and managing images via wslc commands. An experimental “consomme” networking mode has been added for corporate VPN compatibility, improving interoperability with existing WSL networking. API details are in the Microsoft Dev Blog release notes.

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Installation Steps and Prerequisites

Installation is straightforward via the WSL update command. Run the following in PowerShell:

wsl --update --pre-release

Alternatively, download and apply the WSL 2.9.3 pre-release directly from the GitHub release. Prerequisites include Windows 11 or the latest Windows 10 build with WSL 2 enabled.

After the update, the wslc command becomes available. Existing WSL distributions continue to work, with new features enabled additionally.

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Limitations and Future Plans

The current preview has several limitations. Defender for Endpoint integration is in private preview. Not all WSL features are fully supported in wslc yet. General Availability (GA) is targeted for fall 2026.

The consomme mode is experimental, so stability should be monitored. Microsoft plans to iterate based on user feedback.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference from Docker Desktop?

Docker Desktop requires a separate installation as a runtime, while WSL containers are integrated into WSL, allowing Linux containers to run without additional installs. File access is also faster thanks to virtiofs.

Q: Is it compatible with existing WSL?

Existing WSL 2 distributions continue to work. wslc is added as a new feature and coexists with the traditional wsl command.

Q: What are the virtiofs benchmark numbers?

The Microsoft Dev Blog reports up to 2x speedup. Specific I/O figures are listed in the release notes.

Q: How effective is the consomme mode for corporate VPNs?

consomme is an experimental mode that improves network compatibility in corporate VPN environments. It helps mitigate connection issues over VPN.

Q: When is GA expected?

General Availability is planned for fall 2026. Feedback is being collected during the preview period.

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Comparison Table

Item	Docker Desktop	WSL containers (wslc)
Filesystem	9p-based with latency	virtiofs up to 2x faster
Installation	Separate install required	WSL update only
API Integration	Limited	Native API provided
VPN Support	Standard	Experimental consomme mode

Source: Microsoft Dev Blog (June 2026), Impress Watch (June 2026)

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Summary

The public preview of WSL containers makes Linux container development on Windows more accessible. The performance gains from virtiofs and the simplified installation are the main attractions. During the preview period leading to GA, trying it out to verify improvements in your development workflow is recommended.

Related new article:

• WSL Container Public Preview: Run Linux Containers Natively on Windows Without Docker – This published update adds current operational context for WSL Containers Public Preview: Native Linux Containers on Windows Without Docker.