WSL or “Windows Subsystem Linux”[1] is a feature in the Microsoft Windows ecosystem that allows users to run a real Linux environment directly inside Windows without needing a traditional virtual machine or dual boot setup. The latest version, WSL2, runs a lightweight virtualized Linux kernel for better compatibility and performance, making it especially useful for development, DevOps, and cybersecurity workflows where Linux tooling is essential but Windows remains the primary operating system. It was introduced a few years ago (2016) as part of Windows 10.