Microsoft announced a developer-optimized version of Windows 11 at its Build conference in 2026, bundling Linux-compatible command-line tools, a new container system, and an AI-assisted terminal into the operating system.
Windows chief Pavan Davuluri outlined the changes, describing the effort as making Windows “a trusted platform for development.” The announcement centers on four main additions: Coreutils for Windows, WSL containers, an Intelligent Terminal, and the general availability of Windows Developer Configurations.
Coreutils for Windows is built from the uutils open-source project, a Rust-based reimplementation of GNU coreutils. The tools run natively on Windows and are designed to let developers use the same commands across Linux, macOS, WSL, containers, and cloud environments without modification.
WSL containers extends Microsoft’s Windows Subsystem for Linux, which the company open-sourced at Build last year. The new feature provides a built-in way to create, run, and interact with Linux containers directly on Windows, with both a command-line interface and an API that allows Linux containers to run inside native Windows apps. WSL containers will enter public preview in the coming months.
The experimental Intelligent Terminal builds on the existing Windows Terminal and adds native agent integration via the Agent Communication Protocol (ACP). According to Davuluri, it allows developers to query, debug, or complete tasks through agents without leaving the terminal, while retaining existing features such as tabs, profiles, themes, and shell support.
Windows Developer Configurations, previously in testing, is now generally available. It automates the setup of new developer machines by installing tools including WSL, PowerShell 7, and Visual Studio Code, and enables Git version control in File Explorer along with hidden file visibility.
Together, the changes suggest Microsoft is positioning Windows 11 as a more competitive environment for developers who regularly work across Windows and Linux-based systems.
Source: The Verge