Tuesday, May 19th 2020

DirectX Coming to Linux...Sort of

by
btarunr
 Discuss (37 Comments)
Microsoft is preparing to add the DirectX API support to WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux). The latest Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 will virtualize DirectX to Linux applications running on top of it. WSL is a translation layer for Linux apps to run on top of Windows. Unlike Wine, which attempts to translate Direct3D commands to OpenGL, what Microsoft is proposing is a real DirectX interface for apps in WSL, which can essentially talk to hardware (the host's kernel-mode GPU driver) directly.

To this effect, Microsoft introduced the Linux-edition of DXGkrnl, a new kernel-mode driver for Linux that talks to the DXGkrnl driver of the Windows host. With this, Microsoft is promising to expose the full Direct3D 12, DxCore, and DirectML. It will also serve as a conduit for third party APIs, such as OpenGL, OpenCL, Vulkan, and CUDA. Microsoft expects to release this feature-packed WSL out with WDDM 2.9 (so a future version of Windows 10).
Source: DirectX Blog

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37 Comments on DirectX Coming to Linux...Sort of

#26
remixedcat
newspapaers? lawlz...

what drugs are you on? :p
Posted on Reply
#27
Octopuss
You make it sound like people are abandoning Windows in masses, which is as far from truth as possible, just like you claim how bad W10 has gotten.
I'm not the one on drugs here.
Posted on Reply
#28
remixedcat
You must not hang around at much sites like I do lol.

Even normies that aren't into tech as much as me are switching..

Also it was the last straw with w 10 when it disabled my webroot anti virus and my sound drivers were completely gone. Had to roll back..
Posted on Reply
#29
betoelectrico
OctopussYou make it sound like people are abandoning Windows in masses, which is as far from truth as possible, just like you claim how bad W10 has gotten.
I'm not the one on drugs here.
It has hyperjumped from 1.5 to 1.68 since 2015 when Windows 10 was released, at this rate it will be significant before the end of the century.

/s
Posted on Reply
#30
lexluthermiester
remixedcatYou must not hang around at much sites like I do lol.

Even normies that aren't into tech as much as me are switching..

Also it was the last straw with w 10 when it disabled my webroot anti virus and my sound drivers were completely gone. Had to roll back..
You should have just switch to LTSC, very stable and MS doesn't change things as much.
Posted on Reply
#31
remixedcat
lexluthermiesterYou should have just switch to LTSC, very stable and MS doesn't change things as much.
Too late now lol... oh well
Posted on Reply
#32
lexluthermiester
remixedcatToo late now lol... oh well
You could install a second HDD/SSD and dual boot(using the motherboard boot menu). Only a suggestion.
Posted on Reply
#33
remixedcat
lexluthermiesterYou could install a second HDD/SSD and dual boot(using the motherboard boot menu). Only a suggestion.
Can't on a tablet tho. Lol
Posted on Reply
#35
Caring1
remixedcatCan't on a tablet tho. Lol
Just curious, could a Tablet support an external boot device through an OTG usb?
Posted on Reply
#36
remixedcat
Caring1Just curious, could a Tablet support an external boot device through an OTG usb?
Tried it and the only thing I can do is issue some EFI commands from windows recovery mode than going to the EFI commands option.



None of the known working commands let's anything boot
Posted on Reply
#37
bulmbriefs144
windwhirlI guess it could be useful if you didn't want to train a DX guy/girl in Vulkan/OpenGL since you know for sure whatever it is you're running/going to run will always run on WSL and will have access to DirectX.

But why would someone run that kind of hybrid? Wouldn't it be better to just go fully Linux + Vulkan/OpenGL/whatever-API or fully Windows + DirectX?

I honestly don't get what's Microsoft's motive for doing this.

EDIT: Adding to the growing list of questions, would it be useful for VMs? Like, have a bunch of Linux VMs running inside HyperV and using this to expose DX features to the VM in a more direct way?
For my part, I am trying to move away from Microsoft and their constant forced upgrades that trash your computer (I am literally on WIndows 8.1, which they've been pushing into obsolescence for years now). I use emulators and Windows programs. I want to keep using the programs, sure. But I am not upgrading to Windows 11 or 12 or whatever. The motive for a user to have Direct X is to have computer that can play legacy games, and certain MMOs, I suppose. I imagine Microsoft's motive is to hack Linux or something?

Ideally though, I'd rather Linux design something natively that most programs recognize as DirectX.
Just like I'd prefer Linux to up its game on program compatibility. Wine is good, but not perfect.
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