Launching Windows Apps in WSL2 Foreground Process Control on Windows 11

Welcome to our article on launching Windows applications within WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux version 2) Bash terminal and maintaining handle over new processes. This article is focused on a global topic but provides a detailed context for a site-specific audience using WSL2 and Windows 11.

Introduction

WSL2 has become an essential tool for developers and power users who want to use Linux tools and environments on Windows. With WSL2, you can run native Linux binaries on Windows, making it easier to switch between the two operating systems. However, one challenge some users face is launching Windows applications within the WSL2 terminal and maintaining control over new processes.

Launching Windows Applications within WSL2 Terminal

By default, you cannot launch Windows applications directly within the WSL2 terminal. However, you can use some workarounds to achieve this. One of the commonly used methods is using the Windows Application Compatibility feature, which allows you to run Windows applications from the Linux terminal.

Using Windows Application Compatibility feature

To use the Windows Application Compatibility feature, you need to create a compatibility shim using the Windows Applications (Wine) tool. Wine is a compatibility layer that allows you to run Windows applications on Linux. Follow these steps to create a compatibility shim:

1. Install Wine by running the following command in your WSL2 terminal: sudo apt install wine
2. Create a compatibility shim by running the following command: wine path\to\your\application.exe
3. Rename the created .exe file to .so.

Once you have created the compatibility shim, you can run the Windows application within the WSL2 terminal by using the following command: ./application.so. However, this method may not provide you with complete control over the new process.

Maintaining Handle Over New Processes

Maintaining handle over new processes launched within the WSL2 terminal can be challenging. However, you can use some workarounds to achieve this. One of the commonly used methods is using the socat tool, which allows you to create a new process with a controlling terminal.

Using socat tool

To use the socat tool, you need to install it by running the following command in your WSL2 terminal: sudo apt install socat. Once you have installed socat, you can create a new process with a controlling terminal using the following command:

This command creates a new process for the specified Windows application with a controlling terminal. You can now send signals to the new process, such as SIGINT and SIGQUIT, to control its execution.

• WSL2 is an essential tool for developers and power users who want to use Linux tools and environments on Windows.
• By default, you cannot launch Windows applications directly within the WSL2 terminal.
• You can use the Windows Application Compatibility feature and the socat tool to launch Windows applications within the WSL2 terminal and maintain control over new processes.
• References:
  • Wine Tricks
  • socat man page