Pengwin Enterprise is an enterprise Linux solution for Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) that is compatible with mainstream enterprise Linux distributions such as Oracle Linux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).
New and casual Linux users are strongly encouraged to obtain Pengwin from the Microsoft Store instead. Pengwin includes end user support and several usability modifications and tools, such as pengwin-setup, to improve the overall WSL experience for end users.
| Version | Base Distribution | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Pengwin Enterprise 9 | Rocky Linux 9 | Current |
| Pengwin Enterprise 8 | Rocky Linux 8 | Maintained |
| Pengwin Enterprise 7 | Scientific Linux 7 | Legacy |
Pengwin Enterprise allows businesses, education, government, and other organizations to deploy a secure, reliable, and familiar Linux distribution on Windows Subsystem for Linux on Windows 10/11.
Pengwin Enterprise was designed to be highly adaptable for secure enterprise environments and is compatible with the mainstream enterprise Linux vendor distribution and other derivatives.
Custom builds of Pengwin Enterprise can be configured using standard Kickstart files to use internal package repositories and leverage other mainstream enterprise Linux vendor distribution security features.
Businesses and other organizations who wish to license Pengwin Enterprise, develop a custom build for their specific needs, and receive ongoing support for Pengwin Enterprise should e-mail us or visit our website for advice, details, and a quote.
There are several approaches to deploying Pengwin Enterprise on existing Windows 10/11 networks and Whitewater Foundry will work with your business or organization to develop a deployment, security, and support solution:
Pengwin Enterprise is provided on the Microsoft Store on a self-support basis for advanced individual end users who simply need an enterprise compatible WSL distro. It adheres very closely to mainstream enterprise Linux defaults.
The Pengwin Enterprise 9 build provided on the Microsoft Store is derived from Rocky Linux, a community enterprise operating system designed to be 100% bug-for-bug compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
- Rocky Linux 9.x base system
- Systemd support (enabled by default)
- Windows Terminal integration with custom profile
- WSL utilities and enhancements
- Access to Rocky Linux package repositories
- Graphics support with Mesa
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) packages - The Microsoft Store version uses Rocky Linux repositories, not RHEL
- pengwin-setup - This tool is only available in the standard Pengwin distribution
- Dedicated end user support - Self-support only for Microsoft Store users
- WSL usability features found in Pengwin
The Microsoft Store version of Pengwin Enterprise uses Rocky Linux, which is RHEL-compatible but not RHEL itself. To use actual RHEL packages, you need:
- A Red Hat Enterprise Linux subscription from Red Hat
- A custom Pengwin Enterprise deployment from Whitewater Foundry
Contact enterprise@whitewaterfoundry.com to discuss a custom build that connects to your organization's RHEL subscription and internal repositories.
Note: You cannot simply "convert" the Microsoft Store version to use RHEL packages. A proper RHEL integration requires a custom enterprise deployment.
No. The pengwin-setup tool is exclusive to the standard Pengwin distribution and is not available in Pengwin Enterprise.
Pengwin Enterprise is designed for enterprise environments where system configuration is typically managed by IT administrators using standard enterprise Linux tools and methods. If you need the user-friendly setup experience provided by pengwin-setup, please consider using Pengwin instead.
For the Microsoft Store version: The Microsoft Store version is intended for demonstration purposes and personal use only. Commercial redistribution is not permitted without a license agreement.
For commercial use: Businesses and organizations requiring commercial licensing should contact Whitewater Foundry:
Whitewater Foundry can provide:
- Commercial licensing agreements
- Custom builds tailored to your organization
- Integration with your existing RHEL subscriptions
- Ongoing support contracts
- Volume licensing for large deployments
Run the following commands in your Pengwin Enterprise terminal:
sudo dnf updateOr use the provided update script:
update.sh- Rocky Linux 9 Documentation
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 Documentation - Compatible with Pengwin Enterprise 9
- DNF Package Manager Documentation
- Man page for dnf - Guide for the dnf package manager
- Rocky Linux 8 Documentation
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 Documentation - Compatible with Pengwin Enterprise 8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Documentation
- Man page for yum - Guide for the yum package manager
- Troubleshooting Windows Subsystem for Linux - Solving common problems when installing WSL distros on Windows from Microsoft
- Awesome WSL - An Awesome collection of Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) information, distributions, and tools
Pengwin Enterprise is provided on the Microsoft Store for individual users on a self-support basis. Basic troubleshooting will solve many problems. You may also open an issue on our GitHub for community support.
Businesses and other organizations who would like to receive professional ongoing support should e-mail us or visit our website.
Whitewater Foundry, Ltd. Co. is an open-source startup that created Pengwin, the first Linux distribution designed for Windows Subsystem for Linux. Pengwin has since become a top developer tool on the Microsoft Store and Whitewater Foundry, Ltd. Co. has grown to a worldwide team. Pengwin Enterprise grew out of demand for a mainstream enterprise Linux vendor distribution on WSL from enterprise clients.
Whitewater Foundry is a Microsoft Partner, Red Hat Business Partner, and licensee in the Open Innovation Network.
whitewaterfoundry.com
enterprise@whitewaterfoundry.com
Pengwin Enterprise is not endorsed by or affiliated with Rocky Linux, Scientific Linux, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, the United States Department of Energy, the CentOS Project®, Microsoft®, or Red Hat, Inc.
See LICENSE.md for important information on trademarks, copyright, patents, and software licensing.
See BUILDING.md for steps on how to build Pengwin Enterprise from source.