--- title: New GPU and GUI features announced for WSL at Build description: 'Microsoft Build, Microsoft’s annual developer conference, is taking place virtually May 19-20. Ubuntu will be featured throughout the event, in announcements of new WSL features, demos of cloud-native development on Microsoft Azure, and by presenters using Ubuntu desktop with native Microsoft applications like Teams, Code, and Edge: GPU a […]' url: https://canonical.com/blog/new-gpu-and-gui-features-announced-for-wsl-at-build?format=md --- 1. [Blog](https://canonical.com/blog) 2. Article --- [haydenb](https://canonical.com/blog/author/haydenb "More about haydenb") 19 May 2020 # New GPU and GUI features announced for WSL at Build [CUDA](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/cuda) [GUI](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/gui) [nvidia](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/nvidia) [Ubuntu WSL](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/ubuntu-wsl) --- Share the article Microsoft Build, Microsoft’s annual developer conference, is taking place [virtually May 19-20](https://mybuild.microsoft.com/). Ubuntu will be featured throughout the event, in announcements of new WSL features, demos of cloud-native development on Microsoft Azure, and by presenters using Ubuntu desktop with native Microsoft applications like Teams, Code, and Edge: ## GPU and GUI application support In an address by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella the company announced new features coming to WSL 2. WSL 2 is the latest version of Windows Subsystem for Linux powered by a real Linux kernel in a lightweight virtual machine. These new features will unlock powerful workflows for users of Ubuntu on WSL: * Nvidia CUDA and DirectML support for GPU accelerated applications and development tools, such as Kubeflow on microk8s. * Linux GUI application support enabling native and cross-platform development with tools such as GNOME Builder, KDevelop, and Emacs. From the DirectX Developer Blog: WSL 2 is currently available in Windows Insiders builds. WSL 2 will be generally available in Windows 10 version 2004, which is anticipated in the next few weeks. GPU support is expected to be available in Windows Insiders builds in a few months. A timeline for Linux GUI application support is expected later this year. ## microk8s and LXD on WSL 2 A Kubernetes development environment is available today on Ubuntu on WSL 2 using [microk8s](https://microk8s.io). A presentation from Canonical on using microk8s on WSL 2 will go live on May 22. You can [sign up to be notified](https://www.brighttalk.com/webcast/6793/410412) or subscribe to [Celebrate Ubuntu](https://www.youtube.com/user/celebrateubuntu/videos) on YouTube. Ubuntu on WSL 2 can also power [LXD-based](https://linuxcontainers.org/) container workflows on Windows. Here is [a tutorial](https://youtu.be/DULAocJuo_g) from [WSLConf](https://ubuntu.com/blog/wslconf-the-first-conference-dedicated-to-windows-subsystem-for-linux-goes-virtual) on using LXD on WSL 2. LXD 4.0 recently introduced [VM support](https://discuss.linuxcontainers.org/t/running-virtual-machines-with-lxd-4-0/7519) which can be used after Microsoft lands nested virtualization support in WSL 2 later this year. See [all of the videos from WSLConf](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwFSk464RMxnZkvZ1HKrlNyj-s6Zq4fWe) on our YouTube Channel. ## Additional new features Additional features coming to WSL announced by Microsoft at Build 2020 include: * An easier way to install WSL on any version of Windows using wsl.exe –install and later the ability to specify a specific distribution and version, such as Ubuntu 20.04. * WSL 2 will now become the default when installing WSL for the first time. ## Learn more about Ubuntu on WSL 2 * More details on the new WSL 2 features can be found in [on the Windows Command Line blog](https://devblogs.microsoft.com/commandline/the-windows-subsystem-for-linux-build-2020-summary/). * More details on the GPU support is available [on the DirectX Developer Blog.](https://devblogs.microsoft.com/directx/directx-heart-linux/) * Microsoft also announced [Windows Terminal](https://devblogs.microsoft.com/commandline/windows-terminal-1-0/), the highly customizable GPU-accelerated terminal for Ubuntu on WSL, has reached 1.0. * [Sign up to be notified](https://www.brighttalk.com/webcast/6793/410412) about the forthcoming microk8s on WSL presentation or [subscribe to our YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/user/celebrateubuntu/videos). * Read more about Ubuntu on WSL at [ubuntu.com/wsl](https://ubuntu.com/wsl). ## Sign up for our newsletter Get the latest Canonical news and updates in your inbox. Work email: \*I agree to receive information about Canonical's products and services. By submitting this form, I confirm that I have read and agree to [Canonical's Privacy Policy](https://canonical.com/legal/dataprivacy). Sign up ## Share on --- ## Related posts [### Canonical joins the Open Secure AI Alliance](https://canonical.com/blog/open-secure-ai-alliance) Canonical is now part of the Open Secure AI Alliance, announced by NVIDIA with partners across cloud computing, cybersecurity, enterprise software, open source foundations, and... [Canonical](https://canonical.com/blog/author/canonical) 28 August 2026 [### Securing AI agent workflows on Ubuntu with the new NVIDIA OpenShell snap](https://canonical.com/blog/nvidia-openshell-ubuntu-announcement) By packaging OpenShell as a snap, Canonical is enabling enterprises to confidently run next-generation agentic workflows across local devices, hybrid environments, and private clouds. 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