Microsoft surprised everyone today when it announced at Build 2017 that Apple is bringing iTunes to the Windows Store. It was a surprise, but not like the one that followed right after…
Ubuntu will also be available through the Windows Store, while Fedora and Suse are coming to the Windows Subsystem for Linux.
Essentially, releasing Linux distributions through the Windows Store will allow users to install them as apps on Windows 10 devices, meaning they'll be able to run Windows and Linux apps side by side without having to dual-boot two systems.
"Windows 10 is the first system that lets you do this," Microsoft said today at its Build developer conference.
This functionality will be available with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, but Ubuntu is already available in the Windows Store, while Suse and Fedora will be released later. The WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) update will also be released later.
Microsoft has reiterated its love for Linux, putting behind it all the criticisms that former CEOs have leveled at the open source world. Steve Ballmer, the former CEO of Microsoft, once called Linux a cancer, but with today's announcement, it's now obvious that the Redmond company is now openly supporting Linux and open source (?!).
"Windows 10 will be the most productive work environment ever," Microsoft said.
As you can see in the screenshot, the Ubuntu Windows Store listing looks like any other app available in the Store and of course it is available to download and install for free.
Since the new Linux distributions are released through the Windows Store, they will also run on Windows 10 S, Microsoft's version of Windows 10 that only runs apps from the Store.
