Here is the list of distros....docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install-win1‌​0

Please explain what you mean by "non-app-way" because it's extremely confusing. All versions of WSL were an "application". The documentation you linked applies to Windows Server 2016, the list of distributions are also incomplete because Debian is already an official WSL instance and has been on the Windows Store for months now. You should edit your question to provide the necessary clarification. You can build your own instance, but how it's deployed, is very similar and involves side-loading the application.

@Biswapriyo - You can manually download the archive that contains it, but it still has to be built the same way, which it will be identical to what you get off the store. I am interested in the author clarifying the question, in their own words, by editing their question. WSL instances are UWP applications. Any distribution not in the store would require you to enable the ability to sideload application.

You can side load any UWP application. Above link works on Windows 10, but I will repeat, it’s still a UWP application on Windows Server.

Debian and Kali are in the Windows store right now. I tried Debian and it works fine.

@CharlesBurge And how do you get them from outside the Store? Ramhound's comment about side-loading seems to be the only way as of now to get it from official sources without using the Store.

Yes, of course it is, all WSL instances are UWP applications per Microsoft’s applications (they always have been)

Microsoft hasn’t published a link to the blob of data for Kali or Debian at this time. Kali has but the blob is the unofficial instance.

@flolilolilo What you describe would be called a Win32 application, UWP applications, can be downloaded from the Windows Store or manually installed by side loading the install

@Ramhound that's why I state that they might soon be supported via the "official way". As to UWP vs Win32: I now understand, though I do not really see a difference (this isn't on-topic here, though, and I surely can manage to find explanations for that ;-) )

@flolilolilo I don't have any idea how to get them outside the store. My comment was in response to the footnote which says "Debian (and Kali Linux) might soon be supported via the "official way"". The point is, they are supported the "official way" right now.

@CharlesBurge They are, if you include installing via Store. The footnote is about the link i provide, which is about the store-less procedure. ;-)

@flolilolilo - No, as I have said multiple times, you can side load their installation today. What has not been provided is a link to the "official" instance .tar file, but you could create your own Debian WSL today, if you wanted. Of course you could also add, the official way would, include the Windows Store installation method.

Guys, this comment section increases. Should we open a chat?

@Ramhound Well, the answer "Download them from Store" would be a bit trivial. Also, it is not an option that all people can/want to use, as has been discussed.

As to side-loading the official Debian-release: I'm still busy with figuring out @Biswapriyo's solution (as I am not in any way used to compiling), so I had no time up to now to figure out how to side-load e.g. Debian. As it is, it seems non-trivial to me, or at least too complicated to be explained by "I just side-loaded it in 5 minutes." One step at a time...

You can download the compiled executable from my GitHub repository. See this link: github.com/Biswa96/WSLInstall/releases

This may be done with powershell. I had asked a question before. See this link: stackoverflow.com/q/47250994/892848. If anyone interested please provide an answer into hat question.