Debian and Kali Linux distros for Windows 10 now in the Microsoft Store

Microsoft is adding more Linux distros to the Store. Now Debian and Kali are available for download on Windows 10.

Debian and Kali Linux for Windows 10 now in the Microsoft Store
Debian and Kali Linux for Windows 10 now in the Microsoft Store

On Windows 10, you can now download two additional Linux distributions, including Debian and Kali. With these new additions, the Microsoft Store now has a total of five Linux environments that you can run simultaneously on your device.

Previously, Microsoft introduced a new subsystem for Windows 10 to give developers and advanced users the ability to run native Linux tools without the need of a virtual machine or installing a different operating system.

This new technology was first included on Windows 10 with the arrival of the Anniversary Update, but it wasn’t until the Creators Update that the subsystem was fully implemented.

Up until recently, you were only able to install Ubuntu, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12, and openSUSE Leap 42, but now Windows 10 is welcoming Debian GNU/Linux and Kali Linux.

Starting with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, you no longer need to enable “Developer Mode” on your computer to run Linux distributions. However, you still need to install the Windows Subsystem for Linux using the “Turn Windows features on or off” settings to get any Linux distro running to prevent error 0x8007007e.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.