Ubuntu Pro Now Available for Windows Subsystem for Linux, Offering Extended Enterprise Support

Canonical has introduced Ubuntu Pro for the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), enabling organizations to deploy a fully supported enterprise Linux environment directly within Windows. This release allows business users to install Ubuntu Pro through the Microsoft Store and manage their WSL instances centrally, enhancing both security and compliance for Linux workloads running on Windows systems.

Ubuntu Pro, tailored for enterprise use, extends the standard Ubuntu offering by providing advanced security features and long-term support. Canonical guarantees up to 15 years of security updates for packages sourced from Ubuntu repositories, significantly exceeding the typical support lifecycle. This comprehensive coverage ensures that WSL users can maintain systems in line with stringent corporate security and regulatory requirements.

WSL enables developers and IT administrators to run native Linux tools on Windows without the need for dedicated virtual machines or dual-boot setups. With WSL 2, users benefit from near-native GPU performance, in collaboration with Nvidia, allowing direct access to the host's GPU drivers. Despite its popularity, enterprise adoption of WSL has previously been hindered by the absence of robust support and management capabilities, a gap now addressed by Ubuntu Pro's arrival.

Key to the enterprise proposition is the inclusion of Expanded Security Maintenance (ESM), which delivers continuous CVE vulnerability patches across both the operating system and widely used development toolchains such as Python, Go, and Rust. Updates and security fixes can be administered according to company policies, granting system administrators greater control over their Linux environments on Windows platforms.

Enterprise customers also gain access to Landscape, Canonical's system management platform for Ubuntu. Landscape's WSL management functionality, currently in beta, provides a unified interface for monitoring and administering all Ubuntu Pro-enabled WSL instances. This tool enables administrators to verify compliance with organizational policies, track deployment status, and enforce configuration standards across a distributed Windows infrastructure.

Integration with the broader Microsoft ecosystem is simplified through the adoption of the MSIX package format, which aligns with established enterprise deployment workflows. Ubuntu Pro for WSL can be distributed and configured using cloud-based management tools like Microsoft Intune or via Active Directory Group Policies. For organizations with strict network security requirements, Canonical offers the ability to host and manage Ubuntu images internally, ensuring updates and deployments remain within company boundaries.

Alongside enhanced security, Canonical has introduced a new support model for Ubuntu Pro on WSL. Organizations can opt for subscriptions that include telephone and ticket-based support, providing responsive assistance for mission-critical environments. For individual users, Ubuntu Pro remains freely available, while commercial licenses are offered directly to enterprises through Canonical's sales channels.

This development marks a significant step in bridging the gap between Linux and Windows in professional environments, enabling enterprises to leverage the flexibility of Linux-based tools within the familiar Windows ecosystem, backed by long-term support and centralized management capabilities.