A Beginner's Guide to Installing Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) on Windows

Introduction:🚀

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is an awesome feature that brings the power of Linux directly to your Windows operating system. Whether you're a developer, IT enthusiast, or just curious about Linux, WSL allows you to experience the best of both worlds. In this detailed blog, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of installing WSL on your Windows machine. Let's get started! 😊

Installation

Check System Requirements :

Before we begin, make sure your Windows version meets the requirements for WSL. Here's what you need:

Windows 10 version 1903 or later, or Windows 11.
Virtualization needs to be enabled on the local machine to work Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

Step 1: Enable Windows Subsystem for Linux 🔄: Let's enable WSL on your Windows OS. Follow these simple steps:

Open the "Start" menu and search for "Turn Windows features on or off."
Look for "Windows Subsystem for Linux" in the list.
Check the box next to it and click "OK."
If prompted, restart your computer.

Step 2: Choose and Install a Linux Distribution 🐧: Now that WSL is enabled, it's time to select and install your favorite Linux distribution. Here's how:

Open the Microsoft Store from the Start menu or search bar.
Search for the Linux distribution you want (e.g., Ubuntu, Debian).
Click on the distribution and hit "Get" and the Ubuntu image will start downloading.

Note:- Before launch install the latest package of Linux kernel by using the below link. Jump on Step 4 - Download the Linux kernel update package

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install-manual#step-4---download-the-linux-kernel-update-package

Click on the WSL2 Linux kernel update package for x64 machines it will download package MSI package "wsl_update_x64.msi".

Install the MSI package on your local system and restart the system.

Step 3: Launch and Configure Your Linux Distribution ⚙️: Once the installation is complete, let's set up your Linux distribution:

Open the Start menu and search for the installed distribution (e.g., "Ubuntu").
Launch the distribution, and it will do the initial setup.
Create a username and password if prompted as sometimes directly logged in as root in this case create user name and password if required else use the same as this is test environment Linux.

Step 4: Updating Your Linux Distribution 🔄: It's essential to keep your Linux distribution up-to-date. Here's how:

Open your Linux terminal or command prompt.
For Ubuntu or Debian-based distributions, run: sudo apt update.
For Fedora or CentOS-based distributions, use: sudo dnf update.

Step 5: Exploring the Linux Environment 🗺️: Congratulations! You now have Linux running on your Windows machine. 🎉 Here's what you can do:

Use package managers like apt or dnf to install the software.
Run Linux commands and enjoy the vast open-source world.
Access your Linux files from Windows at \\wsl$\<DistributionName>.

Conclusion 🏁:

By following these simple steps, you've successfully installed Windows Subsystem for Linux on your Windows OS. 🚀 Embrace the power of Linux and Windows working together seamlessly. Whether you're developing, learning, or experimenting, WSL opens up new possibilities for your computing experience. Happy coding with WSL! 😊🐧

Best Way to Use WSL Ubuntu with Windows Terminal 🚀

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows you to run Ubuntu on your Windows machine, creating a harmonious fusion of two powerful worlds. By using Windows Terminal, you can enhance your WSL Ubuntu experience and enjoy seamless command-line productivity. In this guide, we'll explore the best practices and tips to make the most out of WSL Ubuntu with Windows Terminal. Let's dive in! 😊

Step 1: Install Windows Terminal ✔️: Before we begin, make sure you have Windows Terminal and WSL Ubuntu installed on your system. If not, follow these steps:

Install Windows Terminal from the Microsoft Store.
Install WSL Ubuntu by searching for "Ubuntu" in the Microsoft Store and clicking "Install" as per the above-given steps.

Currently unsupported in WSL

Below is a list of commonly asked features that are currently unsupported within WSL. These requests are on our backlog and we are investigating ways to add them.

Synchronizing the user inside WSL with the Windows user on the host machine
Managing updates and patching of the Linux distributions and packages using Windows tools
Having Windows update also updates WSL distro contents
Controlling which distributions users in your Enterprise can access
Running mandatory services (logging or monitoring) inside of WSL
Monitoring Linux instances using Windows configuration manager tools such as SCCM or Intune
McAfee support