Windows 10 is getting improved integration between the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and File Explorer that allows you to directly access the folders of installed Linux distributions.

The WSL filesystem Windows Explorer support has been added by including a 9P server that comes with built-in protocols that support Linux metadata and permissions in the WSL init daemon.

Additionally, after mounting a physical disk, Windows 10 WSL 2 users can get to the Linux files it contains using the Windows File Explorer app, building on the File Explorer WSL integration ...

Making Windows 10 more aware of files that belong to WSL should prevent issues where their Linux file attributes are messed up. I’ve had to reset the WSL file system on more than one occasion ...

System is a brand new laptop with Win11 and WSL, a 10 year old NAS (WD) I can ssh into, and a 2 year old NAS (Buffalo) that doesn't support ssh.

File Explorer Integration in the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)If you have WSL installed and open up File Explorer, you'll see a familiar face!We've had the ability to access your Linux files ...

For example, to use File Explorer, start running Linux, ... You still won't be able to access your WSL files if Linux isn't running. That will come in a later Windows 10 release.

If you have WSL enabled, then the Tux will appear in File Explorer, and Microsoft is now seeking feedback on the integration before it’s finalized as part of a future Windows 10 update.

The new tar-based WSL distro format allows developers and system administrators to distribute, install, and manage Ubuntu WSL instances from tar files without relying on the Microsoft Store." ...