Sudo in Windows 11: It’s Happening!

Here’s an unexpected Windows twist: Microsoft accidentally pushed a test Windows 11 preview build out to Insiders, packing full native support for the popular Linux “sudo” command!

For those less tech-savvy, sudo lets users quickly run programs with elevated admin permissions. It’s a staple of Linux administration baked right into the command line experience. And now Windows unexpectedly flaunts similar capabilities.

This slipped out earlier than Microsoft intended. But don’t be shocked if native sudo stays on the Windows roadmap! Between Windows Subsystem for Linux and Azure cloud ties, Microsoft keeps revealing its Linux appreciation.

Empowering that same efficient sudo authority that Linux admins cherish aligns perfectly with the company’s shifting priorities. And leaks suggest they’ve at least evaluated the option behind closed doors!

Watching where this goes once the cat’s out of the bag will be interesting. Between Package Manager GUI rumors and now sudo testing, Windows continues eyeing concepts considered sacred territory for Linux. More bash shell support can only benefit those adept at juggling both systems!

What is sudo, and how is it so important?

If you’ve worked with Linux or macOS, you might know the “sudo” command. It’s a powerful tool that lets you make changes to system files, adjust settings, and perform updates at a system level. And now, this command is making its way to Windows 11.

Sudo in Windows 11

The “sudo” command, short for “Super user,” is set to arrive on Windows 11 as part of the developer settings. This feature will enable users to manage tasks that demand administrative privileges, like uninstalling applications, adjusting system settings, and other development-related configurations.

You can access the Sudo switch within the Windows 11 Developer Settings.

Sudo command configuration

As you can see in the screenshots above, you’ll be able to configure the behavior of the sudo command by setting preferences for how commands run with sudo work:

• In a new window: This could mean that when you run a command with sudo, it opens in a new window, possibly a terminal window, where the command is run.
• With input disabled: It is not clear how this switch works. However, going by the name could indicate a security feature where keyboard or mouse input is temporarily disabled. At the same time, the sudo command is executed to prevent unauthorized actions during its execution.
• Online: This could allow the sudo command to run within the current window or context without opening a new window, which could be useful for quick tasks or when working within an integrated development environment (IDE).