Getting Started with Windows Subsystem for Linux: A Beginner’s Guide

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a feature of Windows 10 and later that allows you to run a Linux environment directly on Windows without the need for a virtual machine. It’s perfect for developers, and those who want to leverage a Unix-based development environment on Windows. Here’s how you can get started with WSL.

Step 1: Enable WSL

Windows 10

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator:

   • Press Win + X to open the Power User menu.
   • Select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)".

2. Enable WSL:

   • Type the following command and press Enter:

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

3. Enable Virtual Machine Platform:

   • Type the following command and press Enter:

     dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart

4. Restart Your Computer.

Windows 11

1. Open Settings:

   • Press Win + I to open Settings.

2. Access the Apps Menu:

   • Navigate to "Apps" > "Optional features".
   • Under "Related settings", click on "More Windows features".

3. Enable WSL:

   • Check "Windows Subsystem for Linux" and "Virtual Machine Platform".
   • Click "OK" and restart if prompted.

Step 2: Install a Linux Distribution

1. Open Microsoft Store:

   • Search for "Microsoft Store" in the Start menu.

2. Choose a Linux Distribution:

   • Search for "Linux" and select your preferred Linux distribution, such as Ubuntu, Debian, or Kali.

3. Install the Distribution:

   • Click "Get" or "Install" to begin downloading and installing the distribution.
   • Once installed, click "Launch" to initialize your Linux environment.

Step 3: Set Up Your Linux Environment

1. Create a User Account:

   • When you first launch the distribution, you’ll be prompted to create a user account and password.

2. Update Package Lists:

   • Open your Linux terminal and enter the following command to update your package lists:

     sudo apt update

3. Upgrade Packages:

   • To upgrade installed packages to the latest version, use:

     sudo apt upgrade

Step 4: Start Using WSL

1. Access WSL:

   • You can launch your installed Linux distribution from the Start menu or by typing its name into the Windows Terminal.

2. Install Additional Software:

   • To install software, use the package manager provided by your distribution (e.g., apt for Ubuntu):

     sudo apt install <package_name>

3. Interoperability with Windows:

   • Access your Windows files from within your Linux environment at /mnt/c/ and use Linux commands to navigate and manage them.

4. Switch Between Versions:

   • To switch to WSL 2, if desired, use the command:

     wsl --set-version <distro_name> 2

Step 5: Further Configuration (Optional)

• Customize Your Shell: Install tools like Zsh or customize your Bash prompt for a better experience.
• Shared Environment: Set up shared environment variables and configurations between Windows and Linux.
• Explore Development Tools: Install development tools and editors like Visual Studio Code for seamless integration with WSL.

Troubleshooting

• Verify Installation:

  • Check the WSL version with:

    wsl -l -v

• Update WSL:

  • Make sure you have the latest WSL update:
  • Check for updates via Windows Update or use the latest Windows Insider build.

By following these steps, you should have a fully functional Linux environment on your Windows machine, ready for development or exploration of Linux-based tools and commands. Enjoy!