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WSL 2 is getting faster Windows file system access

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Re: WSL 2 is getting faster Windows file system access

#81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's great that gaming on Linux has gotten a lot better over the last several years but let's not pretend like Windows still isn't far ahead on this Also how can drivers be easier to install than on Windows when updating my GPU driver is one click?

It's easier than windows (generally) because it'll just update with your OS. It's in the repo (sometimes) or a third party repo. It's automatic.

Oh yes, I distinctly remember having to use an outdated driver from a third-party repository to fix some sort of compatibility issue. Never had to do that on Windows

Re: WSL 2 is getting faster Windows file system access

#82
post #79

it's kinda shocking how both WSL2 file perf and Docker for Mac file perf are so horrendously bad that you can just tank performance and have a 3x better local dev setup on most projects by using "normal" Linux.... and yet it's been the status quo for so long. I don't get how people are so comfortable with dev tooling being as busted as it is.

Docker sucks on the mac, orbstack is great if you need docker. If you are on linux, use podman too vs. docker.

Re: WSL 2 is getting faster Windows file system access

#83
post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What? You need to _download_ drivers? They come pre-installed in modern distros.

I'm obviously referring to upgrading drivers. Important especially when playing new games since they come with specific optimizations.

It's also usually automated.

Re: WSL 2 is getting faster Windows file system access

#85
post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

a test compile of hugo (moderate go app) on a AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS with SSD WSL filesystem = 50s virtiofs = 75s it seems a lot faster. I don't use drvfs (windows files) usually. 50% performance gap is good. And MS Defender kicked in beforehand losing about 10 seconds. with some config you could turn off defender and get this down to 60s

> WSL filesystem = 50s > virtiofs = 75s > 50% performance gap is good. I am somewhat confused by this. How much time did the default DrvFs take? Or did you mean DrvFs when wrote virtiofs?

Devfs = virtiofs(for this test ) . Drvfs is the param given to mount , which chooses virtiofs or 9p (plan9/ /slow)

The results above are wsl vhd vs virtiofs, the new file system for accessing windows files . Plan9 /9p is the old one , not tested .

Re: WSL 2 is getting faster Windows file system access

#86
post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

a test compile of hugo (moderate go app) on a AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS with SSD WSL filesystem = 50s virtiofs = 75s it seems a lot faster. I don't use drvfs (windows files) usually. 50% performance gap is good. And MS Defender kicked in beforehand losing about 10 seconds. with some config you could turn off defender and get this down to 60s

> WSL filesystem = 50s > virtiofs = 75s > 50% performance gap is good. I am somewhat confused by this. How much time did the default DrvFs take? Or did you mean DrvFs when wrote virtiofs?

I didn’t test plan9 because I don’t use it

Re: WSL 2 is getting faster Windows file system access

#87
post #55

Hopefully they're heading towards a "boot to Linux" mode.

Are you sure you want to: ( ) Shut down the computer? ( ) Restart the computer? (*) Restart the computer in Linux mode? ( ) Close all programs and log on as a different user?

Now that virtualization exists you don't need to restart to use another OS.

Re: WSL 2 is getting faster Windows file system access

#88
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Would you mind elaborating (for those of us uninformed)

One example is that if you have a node modules folder on Windows and you try to delete it from WSL it can take 10 plus minutes whereas if you deleted it directly in Windows it would have just taken a few seconds Also if you try running Next js from files on Windows from WSL it takes minutes for each page to compile to the point that any local development is impossible so you would have to either run the Next JS serve…

Anything with node_modules takes ages on my Windows machine, whether it is through WSL, Docker or direct, largely in part due to corporate filters, checks, anti-virus and malware protectors and endpoint control.

Re: WSL 2 is getting faster Windows file system access

#89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because Windows is the operating system of Not Getting Fired. Fear is a stronger motivator than creativity or productivity.

Believe it or not, there's plenty of people that specifically choose windows, not just out of fear of getting fired or inertia. The idea that all devs use a mac and that windows is garbage for any kind of development is purely a silicon valley bubble thing. And there's still a big niche that Windows is your only choice since the move to Apple silicon. If you need both a dGPU and access to commercial software, its lit…

Windows _is_ garbage for a lot of modern development (except thise targeting Win32). But that does not matter to the ICT department tasked with controlling and securing all endpoints, preferring a single, very well known and controllable OS over freedom and performance.

Re: WSL 2 is getting faster Windows file system access

#90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nah my frames on Linux beat yours easily.

Unlikely due to the better and more stable NVIDIA drivers available to Windows and the greater compatibility with every game without having to mess around with configuration files or other hacks. But you do you.

Of course just a personal experience, but I feel like I'm getting a much more stable experience with AMD in arch+sway/i3. Some of my friends with RTX5080s and such frequently crash on alt-tab or just simply from opening Steam overlay in their W*ndows setup.

Even with tiled windows I haven't had any game crash like that once. "alt-tab" equivalent takes 1ms and it just works. I can throw around the game window between workspaces, resize etc.

It's worth giving it a try. Unfortunate if games with certain AC setups are wanted, like GTA:O or LOL, but I can live without them.

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