Microsoft Open-Sources Key Developer Tools at Build 2025: Edit, GitHub Copilot, and WSL

 

Microsoft’s Build 2025 unveils major open-source releases: Edit (a Rust-based CLI text editor), GitHub Copilot for VS Code, and Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). Discover how these tools enhance developer workflows and what this means for Windows-Linux integration.

Microsoft Edit: A New Open-Source CLI Text Editor for Windows

At Build 2025, Microsoft announced the open-sourcing of Edit, a lightweight command-line text editor designed for Windows Terminal. Written in Rust and licensed under MIT, Edit offers:

✔ Mouse support for intuitive navigation

✔ Simplicity-focused design (akin to Nano/Vim but optimized for Windows)

✔ Future integration with Windows releases

Currently in early development, Edit is now available on GitHub. Microsoft aims to position it as a fast, modern alternative to legacy text editors.

📌 Why this matters:

• Developers gain a performant, open-source tool for scripting and coding.

• Rust adoption signals Microsoft’s commitment to memory-safe languages.

• Enterprise potential for streamlined workflows in Windows environments.

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GitHub Copilot in VS Code Goes Open-Source

In a major shift, Microsoft also confirmed open-sourcing GitHub Copilot’s VS Code integration. This move could:

🔹 Accelerate AI-assisted coding adoption

🔹 Increase transparency in Copilot’s training data and model behavior

🔹 Foster community contributions to improve AI suggestions

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Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Now Open-Source

The biggest surprise was Microsoft’s decision to open-source WSL, enabling:

✅ Deeper Linux-Windows integration

✅ Community-driven enhancements (e.g., GPU passthrough, ARM support)

✅ Transparency for enterprises relying on WSL for cross-platform development

📢 Update: Microsoft’s WSL blog post confirms the code is already on GitHub.

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FAQ: Microsoft’s Open-Source Build 2025 Announcements

❓ Will Edit replace Notepad?

A: Unlikely—Edit targets command-line users, while Notepad remains a GUI staple.

❓ How does WSL going open-source affect Docker/WSL2 users?

A: Expect faster feature rollouts and improved compatibility with Linux containers.

❓ Is GitHub Copilot still paid after open-sourcing?

A: The core AI model remains proprietary, but the VS Code integration will be community-driven.