You can run Linux commands alongside Windows without booting into a separate operating system. For most people, Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is the simplest way to get a local Linux terminal; a virtual machine, SSH connection, or Linux container makes more sense for other needs. One qualification: setting up WSL or Windows virtualization features may require a restart. “Without rebooting” describes using Linux and Windows together after setup, not a guarantee that installation never asks you to restart.
Microsoft’s current WSL quick start supports Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later, and Windows 11. Check Microsoft’s WSL installation requirements if you are unsure whether your PC qualifies.
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Which way should you choose?
| Method | Best for | Where Linux runs | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| WSL | Bash, Linux command-line tools, and local development | Alongside Windows on your PC | Integrated with Windows; WSL 2 needs virtualization support and setup may require a restart. |
| Virtual machine | A more separately managed Linux operating system | In a virtual computer on your PC | You manage a Linux guest and its allocated resources; Windows virtualization features may need enabling. |
| SSH | Working on a school, work, home, or hosted Linux server | On a remote machine | Requires a reachable host, network access, and authorization. |
| Linux container | Running an app or a defined development environment | In a container workflow, commonly using a WSL 2 backend on Windows | Requires container tooling and is not a full Linux desktop. |
Windows Terminal can host profiles for shells and remote connections, but it is not itself a Linux distribution. Pick the environment you need first, then use a terminal app to access it.
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WSL provides a GNU/Linux environment on Windows, including distributions such as Ubuntu and familiar command-line tools. It is the most direct choice if your goal is to learn Bash, use Linux utilities, or develop locally while keeping Windows applications available.
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Install WSL
- Open PowerShell or Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Run
wsl --install. The standard flow enables WSL and Virtual Machine Platform, installs the Linux kernel, sets WSL 2 as the default, and installs Ubuntu. - Restart if Windows prompts you to do so, then complete the Linux distribution’s first-run setup.
These are Microsoft’s documented steps; consult Install WSL for current requirements and details. If WSL is already installed and wsl --install displays help instead of starting the setup, list available distributions with wsl --list --online, then install one with wsl --install -d <DistributionName>. See Microsoft’s WSL command reference for more commands.
Work across Windows and Linux
WSL is designed for interoperation: Windows shells can invoke Linux commands through wsl.exe, while a Linux shell can launch Windows executables such as explorer.exe. You can also access files across the two environments and forward network connections. For active Linux development projects, keep the working files in the Linux filesystem; Microsoft and Docker describe that as the appropriate workflow for WSL development. Read Microsoft’s WSL interoperation guide and WSL development environment setup.
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2. Run Linux in a virtual machine
A virtual machine (VM) runs a Linux operating system inside a virtual computer on Windows. Choose it when you want Linux to be a more distinct, separately managed guest rather than an integrated shell. You will need to install and manage the guest OS and decide how much of the host’s resources it can use.
Windows virtualization is also relevant to WSL 2. Microsoft’s manual WSL setup identifies Virtual Machine Platform and hardware virtualization as requirements; if a WSL 2 virtual machine will not start, Microsoft recommends checking that the Windows feature is enabled and that virtualization is enabled in firmware. See Microsoft’s manual installation steps and WSL troubleshooting guidance. Enabling Windows virtualization features can require a restart.
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3. Connect to a Linux machine with SSH
If you already have access to a Linux machine on a network, SSH lets you open a remote shell from Windows without installing Linux locally. This can suit a work or school server, a Linux computer at home, or a hosted development server.
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You need the remote host to be reachable, network access, and valid authorization. The Linux commands run on that remote machine, not on your Windows PC. Windows Terminal can use configurable SSH profiles; Microsoft covers terminal setup in its development environment guidance.
4. Use a Linux container for an app or development task
Containers are suited to running a Linux-based application or a defined development environment, not to providing a complete Linux desktop. On Windows, Docker Desktop can use a WSL 2 backend and make Docker commands available from Windows terminals. Its documented workflow also lets you enable WSL integration for a Linux distribution and connect a Windows IDE to a server running in that distribution.
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This route adds container tooling to the setup and assumes a suitable WSL 2 environment. It is useful when you specifically need a containerized app or development workflow; if you simply want to learn Bash, start with WSL instead. See Docker’s guides to the Docker Desktop WSL 2 backend and developing with Docker Desktop using WSL 2.
What “without rebooting” means in practice
WSL, a VM, an SSH session, and a container let you access Linux without choosing Linux instead of Windows at every startup. After the environment is set up, you can work with Linux and Windows side by side. Initial setup is different: WSL installation may prompt for a restart, and enabling virtualization features can also require one. WSL 2 and virtualization-based VM workflows require hardware virtualization to be available.
Quick Recap
- Want a local Bash prompt? Start with WSL.
- Want a distinct Linux operating system? Set up a VM.
- Already have a Linux server? Connect with SSH.
- Need a bounded app or reproducible development environment? Use containers.
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