What kernel version is WSL2 using now?

Linux 6.18.20 LTS, up from the stale 6.6 series. Update via Microsoft Store or GitHub builds.

Why add ExFAT support to WSL2 kernel?

Microsoft's own filesystem—finally native for USB/cross-platform shares. No more FUSE overhead.

How do I get the new WSL2 kernel?

wsl --update in PowerShell, or build from GitHub's linux-msft-wsl repo. Reboot WSL instance after.

Microsoft's WSL2 Kernel Leap to Linux 6.18 LTS Hands Windows Devs Fresh Linux Power

Windows developers, rejoice: Microsoft's WSL2 just synced up with the freshest Linux 6.18 LTS kernel. No more ancient 6.6 lag—new file systems and hardware support mean smoother workflows right in your Start menu.

Open Source Beat Apr 11, 2026 3 min read

Microsoft WSL2 Linux kernel upgrade to 6.18 LTS with config highlights

⚡ Key Takeaways

WSL2 now on Linux 6.18 LTS kernel, dropping old patches for cleaner upstream alignment. 𝕏
New support for ExFAT, F2FS, joysticks, and more boosts dev productivity on Windows. 𝕏
Strategic move keeps WSL competitive, eyeing ARM and hybrid cloud workflows. 𝕏

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Open Source Beat

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#Linux 6.18 LTS #Linux kernel #Microsoft #WSL2 #Windows Subsystem for Linux

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Originally reported by Phoronix

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