Win32 Native C++ Template - Docker Setup & Usage Guide

ℹ️ Introduction

This WSL Linux (Ubuntu 24.04) native Win32 C++ distribution is designed for developing Win32 C++ GUI applications via the WSL container while using the host compiler and SDK. It also sets up a template project which can be instantiated with Cookiecutter

Quick setup

If you have previously installed this container, you can use the quick setup steps below to get running in a few steps. Otherwise please first read the full documentation

1. Make sure you have an installation file for the WSL container(install.tar.gz) see Background note below.

Get the WSL Installation file🔧

Download the WSL packages

• From here.
• Scroll to the *“Downloading distributions” section.
• Download the Ubuntu 24.04 .AppxBundle (this guide assumes this version).
• Unpack the package, like, assuming you downloaded Ubuntu2404-240425.AppxBundle:

Get the right WSL Import file

• Rename Ubuntu2404-240425.AppxBundle to Ubuntu2404-240425.zip
• Unpack it using 7zip or similar
• Find Ubuntu_2404.0.5.0_x64.appx
  • Rename it to: Ubuntu_2404.0.5.0_x64.zip unpack it.
  • Unpack it.
    Result you’ll get the file: install.tar.gz this is what you’ll use in the next step,

─── ✦ ───

1. Then run the script CreateWSL.ps1 to generate the WSL environment with the required packages:

   ./CreateWSL.ps1 MyWSL ./WSL-target-dir project-name /mnt/d/project-location ./folder-to-your-installation/install.tar.gz  

The results:

• A new WSL environment has been created with the name: MyWSL (execute: wsl -l -v )
• The WSL is stored in the project folder under ./WSL-target-dir
• In the WSL, the template C++ project is available under the name: *project-name

1. Start VSC and use the Visual Code Command below: (CTRL-SHIFT-P) to start the WSL in VS Code,

   WSL: Connect to WSL using distribution in new window…  

2. You can then Open project folder in VS Code Container (File -> Open Folder) and start coding.

License
This file is part of: *WSL Native Win32 C++ Template -Stack Copyright (c) 2025-2026 Nico Jan Eelhart.This repository is MIT licensed and free to use. For optional commercial support, customization, training, or long-term maintenance, see COMMERCIAL.md.

─── ✦ ───