How to Install the Windows Subsystem for Linux on Windows 11

The Home windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) lets you operate Linux software program on your Home windows 11 Laptop. When you empower WSL, Windows will put in a custom-created Linux kernel. You can then set up Ubuntu or yet another Linux distribution of your option.

How WSL Functions on Windows 11

You can empower the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) on all editions of Windows 11—even Windows 11 Household. (You can also install WSL on Windows 10.)

Like more new variations of Windows 10, Windows 11 employs WSL 2. This next version is redesigned and runs a total Linux kernel in a Hyper-V hypervisor for improved compatibility. When you empower the function, Home windows 11 downloads a Microsoft-developed Linux kernel that it runs in the background. Windows Update keeps the kernel up to date. (You can use your very own custom made Linux kernel if you desire, as well.)

To use WSL, you are going to will need to set up a Linux distribution. By default, WSL installs Ubuntu. This will give you accessibility to a total Ubuntu command-line environment making use of the Bash shell or any other command-line shell of your alternative.

You can obtain your Linux shell environments in the Home windows Terminal app integrated with Windows 11, way too.

You can also operate graphical Linux applications out of the box (Just put in them in the Linux command-line natural environment and run the command.). Home windows 11 also involves help for jogging Linux applications with GPU obtain, creating GPU-accelerated Linux computing workloads operate well on Windows.

The Speedy Way: Set up WSL with a Command

Microsoft has built this procedure exceptionally easy on Windows 11. You can empower the Windows Subsystem for Linux and set up a Linux distribution like Ubuntu with a solitary command.

To do this, you will need to use a command-line window with Administrator permissions. We’ll do this with the Home windows Terminal, while you can also just start Command Prompt.

To launch a Windows Terminal with Administrator permissions, ideal-click on the Get started button on the taskbar or push Windows+X and click “Windows Terminal (Admin).” (You can also locate the Home windows Terminal shortcut in your Commence menu—right-simply click it and choose “Run as Administrator.”) Concur to the Person Account Control prompt that appears.

To permit the Windows Subsystem for Linux and install Ubuntu, which is the default distribution, just operate the following command:

wsl --set up

When the course of action is complete, Windows will ask you to reboot your Computer system. Restart your computer system. You will be able to use your Linux method immediately after you do. (You can suitable-click on the Start out menu and click on Shut Down or Sign Out > Restart to promptly reboot.)

To list other obtainable Linux distributions, operate the next command as an alternative. This lists (-l) distributions that are accessible on-line (-o).

wsl -l -o

You can install a Linux distribution of your decision by running the adhering to command, changing “Name” with the title of the Linux distro, as exhibited in the “Name” column:

wsl --put in -d Name

For example, to install Debian as an alternative of Ubuntu, you’d operate:

wsl --set up -d Debian

You can also operate this command multiple situations to install many Linux distributions on your technique.

When your pc has rebooted, you can launch the Linux distro that you put in from your Get started menu.

You’ll also locate it as an selection in the Windows Terminal app. Click on the down arrow to the appropriate of the new tab “+” button on the tab bar and select the Linux distribution that you set up.

Tip: If you never see the Linux distribution that you set up in the Home windows Terminal, launch it from your Start out menu first. Soon after it completes its first-operate setup procedure, it will appear listed here.

Relevant37 Important Linux Commands You Ought to Know

Now, you can use the Linux shell just as if you had been sitting in front of a Personal computer Linux—or as if you ended up remotely related to a server functioning Linux. You’ll just need to have to know Linux instructions.

The Slow Way: Help WSL and Install a Distro

You can also permit the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) the more mature way. This usually takes additional clicking, and we recommend just managing the command higher than.

To do this, open up your Start menu and look for for “Windows attributes.” (You can press the Windows crucial to open the Start out menu and just start off typing.) Launch the “Turn Home windows Capabilities On or Off” shortcut.

Empower the “Windows Subsystem for Linux” checkbox in this article and click “OK.” You will be prompted to reboot your computer system.

Just after you do, open the Microsoft Retailer app and search for the Linux distribution that you want to use. For instance, you could research for “Ubuntu.”

Set up the Linux distribution that you want to use (like Ubuntu) as you would any other software. Just click on the “Install” button on its Retail store page.

You can now launch it from your Get started menu just as if it had been set up from the command higher than.