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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThe easiest way to get Linux on a Windows 10 PC is Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). On Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later, open PowerShell as administrator, run wsl --install, restart, and finish setting up Ubuntu. You don’t download an ISO file or make a USB drive. If you want Linux as the main operating system on the hardware, you need a different route: download a distribution’s ISO, make a bootable USB drive, and install it, either alone or alongside Windows. This guide covers each route and says which one fits which goal.
Which method should you choose?
Microsoft describes WSL as the simplest way to install Linux on a Windows machine. It runs a Linux environment and tools directly on Windows, without a traditional separate VM or dual-boot setup. WSL doesn’t replace a full bare-metal installation for every use case. The three routes compare like this (Microsoft Learn: How to download and install Linux, Set up a WSL development environment):
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| Method | What you get | Trade-off and preparation |
|---|---|---|
| WSL | Linux distributions and tools alongside your Windows apps. wsl --install installs Ubuntu by default. |
Needs a compatible Windows build and possibly a restart. No bootable USB needed. |
| Virtual machine | A separate virtual Linux computer, run locally or in the cloud. | Microsoft notes display-driver and hardware dependencies for some integrations. Network setup may also be needed. |
| Bare metal / dual boot | Linux running directly on the hardware. Dual boot keeps Windows on its own partition. | Needs an ISO and bootable USB. Dual boot needs disk partitioning and a reboot to switch systems. Check hardware compatibility and save BitLocker recovery keys if you use BitLocker. |
Install Linux on Windows 10 with WSL
Step by step
- Check your build. Press Windows key + R, type
winver, and press Enter. You need Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later for the one-command install. - Run the install command. Open PowerShell or Command Prompt as administrator and enter
wsl --install. Microsoft says this enables the required optional components, installs the Linux kernel, sets WSL 2 as the default, and installs Ubuntu. - Restart when prompted.
- Launch the distribution. The first launch unpacks its files. Then create a Linux username and password.
Choose a distribution other than Ubuntu
List the distributions available online with wsl --list --online. Then install one by name with wsl --install -d <DistroName>. Names change over time, so use the ones the list shows (Basic commands for WSL).
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If the install doesn’t start
- If
wsl --installprints help text instead of installing, Microsoft’s instructions are to list the online distributions and install one explicitly with the command above. - If the download hangs at 0.0%, Microsoft documents a
--web-downloadoption. It fetches the distribution through a download-based path.
Older Windows 10 builds: manual WSL setup
Don’t use the one-command requirements on older systems. Microsoft’s manual page lists these minimums for WSL 2: Windows 10 version 1903 (build 18362.1049) or later on x64, and version 2004 (build 19041) or later on ARM64. The manual route has these parts:
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- Enable the Windows Subsystem for Linux feature.
- Enable Virtual Machine Platform for WSL 2. This needs hardware virtualization capability.
- Restart.
- Install or update the kernel as directed.
- Install a distribution.
The full procedure is on Microsoft’s manual installation page. If you can update Windows 10, doing so lets you use the simpler command.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Install Linux directly: bare metal or dual boot
This route is separate from WSL. You download a distribution’s ISO from its official publisher, create bootable USB media, and follow that distribution’s installer. A USB flash drive is needed only here. Microsoft’s pages don’t specify a required capacity, so follow your chosen distribution’s guidance.
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- Back up your data before changing any partitions.
- Save BitLocker recovery keys if BitLocker is on. Microsoft says to retrieve and store them before installing Linux.
- Dual boot needs a separate partition for Linux, and you reboot to switch between systems.
- Expect possible driver issues. Microsoft cautions that bare-metal installs can run into driver or hardware-compatibility problems.
Partition sizes and BIOS/UEFI steps depend on your PC and the distribution, so use the installer documentation for your model and distro (Microsoft Learn).
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