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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchOn a supported Windows 11 PC, the fastest way to install Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) 2 is to open an administrator terminal, run wsl --install, restart Windows, and finish setting up Ubuntu. The command enables the required Windows features, installs the WSL 2 components, sets WSL 2 as the default, and installs Ubuntu in the standard setup.
This guide takes you from a blank Windows installation to a working Linux shell, then covers distribution choices, verification, file placement, troubleshooting, and optional tools.
What WSL is—and what it is not
Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a Windows feature and management layer that runs Linux distributions alongside Windows applications. You can use Bash, Linux command-line tools, programming languages, package managers, supported graphical Linux applications, and development services without dual-booting.
WSL 2 uses a real Linux kernel in a lightweight virtualized architecture. It is not the same as creating and managing a conventional full virtual machine, and it does not replace Windows as your primary operating system.
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- WSL: The Windows feature that hosts and manages Linux environments.
- WSL 1: The older architecture, still useful for some legacy or Windows-file-system-heavy workflows.
- WSL 2: The current default for new installations and the preferred choice for most Linux development.
- Distribution: The Linux environment installed inside WSL, such as Ubuntu, Debian, Kali, or openSUSE.
Installing WSL does not by itself guarantee a usable Linux shell; at least one distribution must also be installed.
Check compatibility before installing
Windows version and updates
The current one-command instructions target Windows 11. The command-line route also supports Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later. Check your version with:
winverInstall pending Windows updates before troubleshooting. You also need administrator access and an internet connection for the normal distribution-download route.
Virtualization requirements
WSL 2 requires a processor with the necessary virtualization capabilities, including SLAT, hardware virtualization enabled in UEFI/BIOS, and the Windows Virtual Machine Platform feature. A Windows virtual machine may additionally require nested virtualization from its host. You do not necessarily need the complete Hyper-V management feature.
There is no single universal RAM minimum for WSL itself; requirements depend on your workload. A requirement such as 8 GB of RAM in Docker Desktop’s documentation applies to Docker Desktop, not to basic WSL.
The recommended method: install WSL 2 with one command
-
Open an elevated terminal
Open Start, search for PowerShell, Windows Terminal, or Command Prompt, right-click the result, choose Run as administrator, and approve the User Account Control prompt.
-
Run the installer
wsl --installOn a supported Windows 11 installation, this normally enables the Windows Subsystem for Linux and Virtual Machine Platform features, installs or updates WSL 2 components, makes WSL 2 the default, and installs Ubuntu.
-
Restart Windows
Restart when Windows requests it. Rebooting is a normal part of feature installation; do not try to launch Ubuntu first if a restart is pending.
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Complete Ubuntu’s first launch
Ubuntu may open automatically after the restart. If it does not, launch it from Start. The first run decompresses and initializes the distribution, then asks you to create a Linux username and password.
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Your Linux password is separate from your Windows password. When you type it, the terminal displays no characters or asterisks; that is normal.
-
Update the Linux packages
Inside Ubuntu (or another Debian-based distribution), run:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -yThis updates Linux packages after installation; it is not required to enable the Windows features.
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Verify the installation
From PowerShell or Command Prompt, run:
wsl --status wsl --list --verboseThe installed distribution should appear in the list with version
2. The short equivalent iswsl -l -v.
Microsoft’s current installation workflow is documented at learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install.
Install a distribution other than Ubuntu
Ubuntu is the default in the standard wsl --install flow and is a sensible beginner choice. To see the distributions currently offered by your installation source, run:
wsl --list --onlineInstall a named distribution using the exact name shown in that output:
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wsl --install -d DebianThe shorter equivalent is wsl --install --distribution Debian. Availability and names can change, so do not rely on a hard-coded list.
| Distribution | Good fit for |
|---|---|
| Ubuntu | Most beginners and general development |
| Debian | A conservative, lightweight Debian-based environment |
| Kali Linux | Security testing; not the usual default for general development |
| openSUSE or Fedora-based options | Readers who specifically need those ecosystems |
| Arch | Experienced users who want a hands-on setup |
These are distribution choices, not separate requirements for WSL. You can install more than one and choose which one is the default.
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Manual installation fallback
Use this route if wsl --install is unavailable, only shows help text, the Windows build is old, Microsoft Store access is blocked, or your device is a managed, LTSC, or Windows Server installation. Run each command in PowerShell as administrator:
-
Enable the WSL optional feature:
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart -
Enable Virtual Machine Platform:
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart -
Restart immediately:
shutdown /r /t 0 -
After Windows starts, update WSL and select WSL 2 as the default:
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Install a distribution through the Microsoft Store or another Microsoft-documented route, launch it, and create the Linux account.
For Store-restricted systems, Microsoft’s manual installation documentation describes direct distribution downloads and other supported options. Current Windows 11 users should try wsl --update before looking for an old standalone kernel installer.
Verify and manage WSL
| Purpose | Command | Run from |
|---|---|---|
| Show WSL status | wsl --status |
PowerShell or Command Prompt |
| List installed distributions and WSL versions | wsl --list --verbose |
PowerShell or Command Prompt |
| Set WSL 2 as the default for new distributions | wsl --set-default-version 2 |
Administrator terminal when required |
| Choose the default distribution | wsl --set-default Ubuntu |
PowerShell or Command Prompt |
| Start a specific distribution | wsl --distribution Ubuntu |
PowerShell or Command Prompt |
| Convert a distribution to WSL 2 | wsl --set-version Ubuntu 2 |
PowerShell or Command Prompt |
| Update WSL | wsl --update |
Administrator terminal when required |
| Stop all running WSL instances | wsl --shutdown |
PowerShell or Command Prompt |
| Display command help | wsl --help |
PowerShell or Command Prompt |
Converting a distribution can take time, especially when it contains substantial data. Back up important work first. Microsoft’s command reference is at learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/basic-commands.
Store Linux projects in the right place
For Linux-heavy development, keep projects in the WSL file system rather than on a Windows-mounted path. A simple starting point is:
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mkdir -p ~/projects
cd ~/projectsPaths such as /mnt/c/Users/YourName/... are convenient for sharing with Windows, but workloads that perform many Linux file operations can be slower there. Windows can access WSL files through \wsl$ or \wsl.localhost, depending on your environment. Microsoft explains the performance trade-off in its WSL development-environment guidance.
Try a few safe commands
In the Linux shell:
pwd
ls
whoami
uname -aFrom PowerShell, wsl opens your default distribution. To run one Linux command without opening an interactive shell:
wsl -- echo "WSL is working"WSL integrates Linux with Windows, but it is not a complete replacement for a separate Linux computer; services, device access, GUI support, and administration behave differently from a physical Linux installation.
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Troubleshoot common installation problems
wsl --install only displays help text
This can happen when WSL is already installed. Check available distributions, then install one explicitly:
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wsl --list --online
wsl --install -d UbuntuDo not repeatedly run the same installer without checking the existing state.
The installation is stuck at 0.0%
Try downloading the distribution through the web-download fallback:
wsl --install --web-download -d UbuntuUse this for distribution-download problems; it is not required for every installation.
Error 0x80370102
- Confirm that Virtual Machine Platform is enabled.
- Enable hardware virtualization in UEFI/BIOS.
- Restart after enabling the Windows feature.
- If Windows itself runs inside a virtual machine, ask the host administrator to enable nested virtualization.
On a Hyper-V host, the documented advanced command is:
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An optional component is missing
Enable WSL manually, restart, and try again:
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestartThe graphical alternative is Control Panel → Programs and Features → Turn Windows features on or off → Windows Subsystem for Linux.
Virtual Machine Platform is missing
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestartRestart Windows after the command; a successful command may still need a reboot before WSL 2 works.
“WSL 2 requires an update to its kernel component”
Run:
wsl --updateOlder, constrained installations may need the separate kernel package described in Microsoft’s manual-installation documentation, but current Windows 11 systems should use the update command first.
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The distribution will not launch
Run this diagnostic sequence:
wsl --status
wsl -l -v
wsl --shutdown
wslCheck that the distribution is installed, that it is using version 2, that Windows is up to date, and that virtualization or corporate security policy is not blocking it. Do not use wsl --unregister <DistributionName> as an early fix: unregistering permanently deletes that distribution’s file system.
Microsoft Store access is unavailable
Windows Server, LTSC editions, and managed corporate networks may restrict the Store. Use Microsoft’s direct-download or manual-installation options, and consult your organization’s IT policy before bypassing restrictions on a work computer.
Hardware virtualization cannot be enabled
If the processor or firmware cannot provide the required virtualization capabilities, WSL 2 may not work. WSL 1 can be an option in some environments, but it does not provide the same Linux-kernel architecture or compatibility.
Optional tools after WSL works
- Windows Terminal: A convenient interface for PowerShell, Command Prompt, and Linux distributions. The official project is at github.com/microsoft/terminal.
- Visual Studio Code with WSL integration: Lets you edit and debug files in the Linux environment while using the Windows desktop application.
- Docker Desktop: Useful for Docker Engine, Compose, Kubernetes, and container workflows, but not required for Bash, Git, Python, or ordinary Linux packages. Docker’s free-use terms depend on personal, educational, open-source, small-business, and enterprise use; check its current requirements and licensing terms.
- Ubuntu Pro: An optional Ubuntu offering for readers who specifically need its features or support; it is not required for ordinary Ubuntu on WSL.
When WSL is not the best choice
| Choose | When it fits better | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| WSL 2 | Linux tools, development environments, and containers integrated with Windows | Not a full independent Linux desktop or hardware environment |
| Traditional virtual machine | A complete Linux desktop, snapshots, stronger isolation, or independent virtual hardware | More setup and resource use |
| Dual boot | Maximum native Linux hardware performance and direct OS control | Partitioning and rebooting between systems |
| Remote server or cloud environment | More CPU, RAM, GPU, storage, or a shared reproducible environment | Network dependence, possible cost, latency, and security responsibilities |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WSL a paid subscription?
Microsoft’s installation documentation describes WSL as a Windows feature with no separately stated WSL subscription. Windows licensing, optional distributions, cloud services, and third-party tools are separate considerations.
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WSL 2 is supported on supported Windows 11 installations, provided the required updates, processor virtualization, firmware settings, and Virtual Machine Platform feature are available.
Can I install multiple Linux distributions?
Yes. Use wsl --list --online to see available names, install additional distributions, and use wsl --set-default <DistributionName> to choose which one opens with wsl.
Do I need Docker Desktop to use WSL?
No. Docker Desktop is optional and is relevant when you specifically need Docker-managed container workflows, Compose, Kubernetes, or its graphical integration.
Why does my Linux password look invisible while I type?
Linux terminals normally show neither characters nor asterisks for password input. Continue typing the password and press Enter.
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