What's new for Windows developers
Everyday Official tools worth knowing about, and whether they're worth your time. Checked November 2026.Use these
| Tool | What it does | Get it |
|---|---|---|
| WSLC | Linux containers from the command line, no Docker needed | Built into WSL: wsl --update |
| PowerShell 7.6 LTS | Current long-term release, supported until November 2028 | winget install Microsoft.PowerShell |
| Sudo for Windows | Runs one elevated command, in the same window by default | Settings > System > Advanced |
| Windows Terminal 1.25 | Settings search, action editor, Kitty keyboard support | winget upgrade Microsoft.WindowsTerminal |
| PowerToys Command Palette | Keyboard launcher for apps and commands | winget install Microsoft.PowerToys |
| Microsoft Edit | Small terminal text editor, run with edit | Check with edit, or winget install Microsoft.Edit |
| 1Password CLI | Injects secrets at run time, so they stay out of .env | winget install AgileBits.1Password.CLI |
Upgrading Windows Terminal can close its open sessions, so finish what you're running first.
Test before relying on them
| Tool | What it does | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Dev Drive | ReFS volume tuned for code and builds | Much of the gain comes from Defender's performance mode, so it may help less with another antivirus. There are also open reports of slowdowns with heavy file watching |
| PowerShell 7.7 | Next release, with New-TemporaryDirectory and v7 UUIDs from New-Guid | Prerelease, and the New-Guid change can affect scripts. Installs alongside as pwsh-preview |
| Intelligent Terminal | Windows Terminal fork with built-in AI agents | Experimental, so don't make it your main terminal yet |
Only if you build for Windows
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| WSL container API | The Microsoft.WSL.Containers package, for controlling containers from your own apps |
| Windows App Development CLI | Create and sign Windows apps from the command line |