How to Install the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

Installing Linux on a Windows machine used to be a challenging task, especially for those new to the world of operating systems. But now, with the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), setting up Linux on your Windows device is easier than ever. In simple terms, WSL is a feature that lets you use Linux alongside your Windows operating system. This article will guide you through the installation process, so you can start using Linux tools and features without any hassle.

In this detailed guide, we will explain what is WSL and how to install Windows Subsystem for Linux and provide you with a step-by-step process to install it on your Windows machine.

What is Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a compatibility layer that enables Linux distributions to run natively on Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems. It provides a Linux environment within the Windows ecosystem, allowing users to access and utilize Linux command-line tools, utilities, and applications alongside their regular Windows programs.

WSL is not a virtual machine or an emulator; instead, it leverages the Windows kernel to run a genuine Linux distribution, offering a high-performance and seamless experience. This means that Linux programs running on WSL can access and interact with Windows files, folders, and resources, making it an ideal solution for developers, system administrators, and power users who need to work with both Windows and Linux tools simultaneously.

With WSL, you can install and run various Linux distributions directly on your Windows machine, including popular options like Ubuntu, Debian, Kali Linux, and many others. This versatility allows you to choose the Linux distribution that best suits your needs and preferences, ensuring a familiar and comfortable working environment.

Prerequisites for Installing WSL

Before installing WSL, ensure that your Windows system meets the following requirements:

• Windows Version Compatibility: WSL is available on Windows 10 versions 1607 and later, including Windows 11.
• Enabling Virtualization and Hyper-V: Make sure that virtualization is enabled in your system’s BIOS settings. Additionally, if you plan to use WSL 2, ensure that Hyper-V is enabled in the Windows Features settings.

How to Enable Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

Following are the methods described on how to enable WSL.

Method 1: Enabling WSL using PowerShell

WSL is a feature that is available in Windows 10 and above by default. So there is no need to install it. You need to open the PowerShell as an administrator and then execute the below command:

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

This will enable WSL on Windows and it’s ready to be used.

Method 2: Enabling WSL using System Settings

Windows settings also allow you to enable WSL on Windows. For this, you can search for “Turn Windows features on or off” by launching a start menu:

After that, you need to navigate to hyper-v and Windows Subsystem for Linux option and enable them both:

This WSL installation guide will also enable Linux on Windows and after following these steps you should be able to use WSL.

How to Install Linux on Windows Using WSL

WSL allows users to install Linux on Windows so that they can use multiple operating systems simultaneously.

First, you need to list down the available Linux distributions that you can do by executing the below command:

wsl.exe --list --online

For now, you can see in the output that the latest version of Ubuntu is 22.04 LTS. So, to install it you can execute the below command:

wsl --install Ubuntu-22.04

Similarly, you can install any of the available Linux distributions by using the same command followed by the distribution name.

Benefits of Using WSL

Several benefits of using WSL make it an attractive choice for users who want to run Linux on their Windows machines.

• Seamless Integration: WSL allows users to access and interact with Windows files, folders, and resources directly from the Linux environment, enabling a smooth workflow.
• Full-Featured Terminal: WSL provides a Linux-based terminal with a wide range of command-line tools and utilities, replicating the native Linux experience.
• Customizable Environment: Users can customize their Linux environment within WSL to suit their preferences, including installing additional packages and configuring settings.
• Improved Performance: Unlike virtual machines or emulators, WSL leverages the Windows kernel to run Linux distributions, resulting in high performance and low overhead.
• Developer-Friendly: WSL is particularly useful for developers who need to work with both Windows and Linux tools simultaneously, allowing them to use Linux development environments on their Windows machines.
• Compatibility with a Wide Range of Tools and Applications: WSL supports a variety of Linux distributions, ensuring compatibility with a broad range of Linux tools and applications.

Conclusion

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) has made it incredibly easy to install and use Linux on a Windows machine. WSL provides a compatibility layer that allows Linux distributions to run natively on Windows operating systems, offering a seamless experience and high performance. With WSL, users can access and utilize Linux command-line tools, utilities, and applications alongside their regular Windows programs.

The installation process for WSL is straightforward, and users have the flexibility to choose from a variety of Linux distributions. Whether you’re a developer, system administrator, or power user, WSL provides the perfect solution for working with both Windows and Linux tools simultaneously. With WSL, the barrier to entry for running Linux on a Windows machine has been significantly lowered, making it accessible to users of all skill levels.

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