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Microsoft to add Linux command line to Windows

Microsoft is reaching out to Linux in a way it’s never done before.

Microsoft is reaching out to Linu”The Bash shell is coming to Windows. Yes, the real Bash is coming to Windows,” said Microsoft’s Kevin Gallo on stage at today’s Build 2016 keynote.

The crowd gave a loud applause in response. The new functionality will be a part of the summer’s Anniversary Update for Windows 10.

“This is not a VM. This is not cross-compiled tools. This is native,” he said. “We’ve partnered with Canonical to offer this great experience, which you’ll be able to download right from the Windows Store.” Third-party tools have enabled this sort of thing for years, but a direct partnership between Microsoft and Canonical should offer even more flexibility and convenience for developers who prefer using these binaries and tools.

More importantly than this single move, it signals a new stance on open-source development for the tech giant. VP Terry Myerson teased “more coming soon,” possibly meaning a modernized and open Windows 10.