Installing the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

The Windows Subsystem for Linux allows you to run a Linux session from within your Windows environment.

Prerequisites

• Windows 11 (or later)
• Windows 10 version 2004 (build #19041) and later

Installation instructionn

1. Open Windows Powershell

   • Click on the Windows menu (or hit the Windows key)
   • Type Powershell in the search bar
   • Click on Run as administrator

2. Type the following at the PowerShell command line to install WSL with Ubuntu Linux. (Note you will be replaced by your Windows username in the PowerShell prompt.)

    PS C:\Users\you> wsl --install -d ubuntu
    PS C:\Users\you> wsl --update
    PS C:\Users\you> wsl --set-default-version 2

3. Activate WSL. You will be prompted to answer some questions (i.e. specify your Linux username and password). You should notice that the prompt will change from the PowerShell prompt to the Linux prompt. (NOTE: your-linux-username will be replaced by what you specify for your Linux username.)

    PS C:\Users\you> wsl
    your-linux-username@localhost~#

You

3. Start WSL