Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a Windows feature that lets you run a Linux environment directly in Windows, without the need for a complete virtual machine. This can be an interesting alternative for certain Blue Team applications.

Advantages

• Native Windows integration: WSL distributions can be opened directly from PowerShell, Windows Terminal or Visual Studio Code.

• Direct access to Windows files: via /mnt/c, WSL lets you manipulate files stored on NTFS disks, which is handy for local analysis.

• Rapid deployment: a WSL distribution can be quickly installed from the Microsoft Store (e.g. Ubuntu, Debian, Kali).

• Fewer resources than conventional VMs: ideal for less powerful machines.

Limitations

• No native GUI (in WSL1): although WSL2 supports a form of GUI with wslg, experience remains limited or unstable for complex graphical tools.

• Restricted hardware access: no support for direct USB modules, so unsuitable for forensic acquisition or low-level network analysis.

• Some distributions not officially available: for example, SIFT or REMnux are not supplied in WSL-ready form.

Use Cases

• Script testing (IOC, CTI)

• Log file analysis

• Sigma/YARA/OSINT automation