I don't understand the pointless hate over wsl. Sure, it doesn't replace Linux. It also doesn't have to... Just having access to basic nix functionality from a windows desktop is still a useful feature. It makes stuff like putty mostly obsolete. It let's windows users unpack tarballs without 7zip. It let's developers play video games while "compiling". It's just an all-around convenient tool to have.

Maybe Microsoft wanted it to replace the Linux desktop, but since when has anyone really cared about what Microsoft wanted :P

My personal computer is Windows mainly because of gaming and game dev, but WSL means I don't have to dual boot to tinker on a web project or something. In a way, it killed the Linux desktop for me, but I still use Linux as much as ever. With Docker as well.

I used WSL extensively at a couple of previous jobs. Sometimes IT only gives you the choice of Windows or Mac. I'm quite happy to have a Linux machine at my current job, but WSL has gotten the job done for me when I lacked that option.

Transcript:

[Miracle of the word wide web meme template]
"Thanks to the miracle of windows subsystem for linux..."
"...I can use the Linux terminal from the comfort of windows"
[Computer monitor showing windows update screen]
"Marvelous"

I think most actual Linux users saw this as expanded access to the Linux environment, and easier ways for Windows users to dip their toes in. That was the feel i got from the general community at the time.

Personally, I think WSL is a great start point to introduce users in Windows to take the first step to Linux. Me myself and several people from what I know starts from WSL and end up using Linux full-time