The open-source versus proprietary software ecosystem on Windows is experiencing a curious moment: the version of Ubuntu that runs within Windows is growing at a much faster rate than the version installed as the primary operating system . This is according to Jon Seager, Vice President of Engineering at Canonical, in an interview published by The Pragmatic Engineer and reported by Windows Latest.
According to Seager, the number of Ubuntu users via the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) could soon surpass the number of native users . This isn't a battle between Windows and Linux, but rather a trend reflecting how developers are integrating both platforms into their daily work.
Ubuntu's growth on WSL surpasses the desktop
Canonical is comparing Ubuntu usage on WSL with Ubuntu Desktop, and the data indicates that WSL's growth is "significantly greater" than that of the desktop . In Seager's words: "I expect to see more Ubuntu WSL users than native Ubuntu users in the coming months."
This forecast is based on demand from the programming sector. Many companies provide Windows laptops to their employees as part of corporate policy, but these same professionals need Linux tools to work with artificial intelligence and machine learning . WSL allows them to have a Linux environment without giving up their assigned equipment.
Microsoft's solution doesn't require dual booting or a cumbersome virtual machine. WSL integrates a real Linux kernel and allows you to run Bash, native binaries, and graphical applications directly on Windows , facilitating interoperability between the two systems.
Why developers choose WSL
The user profile driving this growth is that of a developer who needs a Linux environment for AI, machine learning, or software development tasks, but cannot change the operating system on their company computer . With WSL, installation is simple and does not interfere with IT department security policies.
Canonical has seized this opportunity. The company works closely with NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel to offer optimized GPU, NPU, and DPU support , which is essential for AI workloads. Furthermore, Ubuntu 26.04 LTS already includes native support for installing CUDA on Windows and AMD ROCm.
Another important advancement is the introduction of inference snaps, packages that automatically select the appropriate model and quantization for each task . This functionality is available in both WSL and Ubuntu Desktop, reinforcing Canonical's commitment to local AI.
Improvements to WSL and the Microsoft boost
Microsoft has made WSL a priority for developers. Over the past year, it has improved file access speed, network stability, and initial setup —aspects that previously led some programmers to seek alternatives using advanced workarounds to enhance the Windows Terminal experience . The company has also introduced WSL Containers, a tool with a Docker-like command-line interface called wslc, which allows users to create and manage Linux containers directly from Windows.
This move isn't altruistic. Microsoft prefers that users who need Linux use it within Windows, thus retaining developers and their companies as customers . For its part, Canonical gains access to programmers who likely would never have installed Ubuntu natively.
Microsoft itself maintains Azure Linux for its cloud data centers, demonstrating that the relationship between the Windows and Linux ecosystems is becoming increasingly symbiotic . Although no absolute figures have been provided, the trend seems clear.
Does WSL replace the native Linux desktop?
Despite the rise of WSL, a native Ubuntu installation remains the preferred option for those who need complete hardware control and a Linux environment built from the ground up . Advanced users, system administrators, and those looking to configure a lightweight desktop environment on Ubuntu will find the native desktop offers the best experience.
WSL doesn't replace the Linux desktop, but it's a game-changer. It allows you to combine the productivity of Windows with the power of Linux on the same machine , something that until a few years ago required virtual machines or dual booting. For many developers, this flexibility is more than enough.
Canonical hasn't published specific data on how many users run Ubuntu on WSL versus natively, but the trend is clear: the future of Ubuntu in corporate environments largely depends on Windows . And that, paradoxically, could be good news for free software.