- Name Arch WSL
- Category Developer tools
- Downloads 17,000,000+
- Developer Vineel Sai
- Available on PC
- OS Windows 10 version 19041.0 or higher
- Architecture x64, Arm64
- Keyboard Integrated Keyboard
- Memory 4 GB
- Mouse Not specified
Pros
1. Arch WSL offers access to the Arch Linux package management system (pacman) directly on Windows, making it simple to install and manage Arch-specific software in a familiar environment.
2. It facilitates a seamless integration of Linux workflows onto a Windows system, providing a rich development environment especially beneficial for developers and power users.
3. Arch WSL operates with a very minimal resource footprint compared to traditional VMs, offering better performance and efficiency, making it an ideal choice for running lightweight Linux instances on Windows.
Cons
1. Compatibility Issues: Arch WSL may not fully support all features and hardware that native Arch Linux or other Linux distributions on traditional virtual machines do, potentially leading to software incompatibilities or hardware integration challenges.
2. Performance Overhead: Running Arch through WSL introduces an additional layer of abstraction, potentially impacting performance, especially for IO-intensive applications, compared with running a native Linux system or when using a standard virtualization solution.
3. Limited System Integration: While WSL allows for interaction between Windows and Linux systems, it doesn't offer complete system integration. Some low-level system functionalities available in a full Arch Linux installation may be restricted or unavailable in Arch WSL.