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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWindows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) lets you install Linux distributions and run Linux command-line tools, utilities, and applications from Windows at no cost. But the available evidence does not identify which three distributions were tried or record what they felt like, so it cannot support a first-person winner or a claim that one felt most familiar. Here’s how to try distributions for yourself and make a fair comparison.
First, distinguish WSL from a Linux virtual machine
WSL is designed to run Linux applications, utilities, and Bash command-line tools within Windows, without setting up a traditional dual-boot system. It is a practical way to compare distributions for terminal-based tasks, development tools, and command-line workflows.
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A virtual machine (VM) is a different option: it runs a separate operating-system installation in an isolated environment, which Microsoft describes as useful for testing distributions. WSL and a VM do not provide identical experiences. A comparison of WSL distributions should focus on the Linux environment and workflows actually used; it should not be presented as a comparison of complete traditional Linux desktops unless those desktops were tested separately. See Microsoft’s overview of Linux installation methods.
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Check Windows and WSL 2 prerequisites
Microsoft’s documented WSL install command applies to Windows 10 version 2004 (Build 19041) or later, and Windows 11. Canonical’s Ubuntu WSL 2 guide recommends Windows 11 and lists Windows 10 version 21H2 or later on a physical machine as a supported requirement for that guide. Requirements can vary by installation method and distribution, so check the instructions for the distribution you choose.
For Ubuntu on WSL 2, virtualization must be enabled and the Virtual Machine Platform feature must be turned on. Canonical says the setup command attempts to enable the feature; a reboot may be needed for the change to take effect. Its guide also says that running WSL inside a Windows virtual machine requires nested virtualization and does not recommend following its tutorial in a Windows VM. Read Canonical’s Ubuntu WSL 2 installation guide for the applicable setup details.
Find the distributions available on your machine
Open PowerShell and run:
wsl --list --online
The command shows the distribution names currently offered for installation. The available list can change, so check it on your own system rather than relying on a fixed list. Microsoft gives Ubuntu, openSUSE, Kali, Debian, and Arch Linux as examples of distributions usable with WSL; that does not mean every example will always appear in the online list.
To install a listed distribution, use the command shown in the current WSL instructions or the distribution’s official guide. Microsoft’s installation instructions are available at How to install Linux on Windows with WSL.
How to judge which distribution feels familiar
“Familiar” is subjective, so compare the same things in each distribution and tie the verdict to your own experience. A WSL trial can tell you about working with Linux tools inside Windows; it does not, by itself, establish which full Linux desktop would feel most like Windows.
Rank #3
- Setup friction: Note how clear installation and first launch are, and whether you need to resolve a prerequisite such as virtualization.
- Terminal workflow: Compare the shell experience and how easily you can find and use the commands you need.
- Package management: Record how intuitive it feels to find, install, and update software for your intended task.
- Default tools: Check whether the included utilities fit your workflow or whether you need to add alternatives.
- Task fit: Judge the distribution against what you plan to do—such as development or learning Linux commands—rather than an abstract idea of familiarity.
Keep the Windows version, machine, installation method, and task consistent across trials where possible. If you change those conditions, note the difference: setup experience can depend on the host configuration, while a WSL command-line comparison is not a desktop-interface comparison.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When a VM is the better comparison
Choose a VM if your question is how a separate Linux installation behaves in an isolated environment. Microsoft lists VMs alongside WSL and bare-metal Linux as distinct installation methods, not as interchangeable ways to get the same experience. A VM comparison answers a different question from trying distributions through WSL, and it should be labeled accordingly.
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