Windows Subsystem for Linux

What can you do with Windows Subsystem for Linux?

WSL also allows you to run Linux command-line tools and apps alongside your
Windows command-line, desktop and store apps, and to access your Windows files
from within Linux. This enables you to use Windows apps and Linux command-
line tools on the same set of files if you wish.

Should I use Windows Subsystem for Linux?

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows you to run Linux distributions on
recent versions of Windows 10 and Windows 2016 systems. Just because you can
do something doesn't mean that you should -- but in this case, you definitely
should.

How to install Windows Subsystem for Linux using Settings

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Apps.

3. Under the "Related settings" section, click the Programs and Features
option. ...

4. Click the Turn Windows features on or off option from the left pane. ...

5. Check the Windows Subsystem for Linux option. ...

6. Click the OK button.

Can Windows 10 run Linux?

Starting with the recently released Windows 10 2004 Build 19041 or higher, you
can run real Linux distributions, such as Debian, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
(SLES) 15 SP1, and Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. ... Simple: While Windows is the top desktop
operating system, everywhere else it's Linux
Is Windows Subsystem for Linux a virtual machine?

The Windows Subsystem for Linux is like the Wine project: it's not running an
emulation or a virtual machine. Instead, it's providing a layer to translate system
calls.

Is wsl2 a VM?

WSL 2 uses the latest and greatest in virtualization technology to run its Linux
kernel inside of a lightweight utility virtual machine (VM). ... While WSL 2 does use
a VM, it will be managed and run behind the scenes leaving you with the same user
experience as WSL 1.

Does wsl2 use Hyper V?

The newest version of WSL uses Hyper-V architecture to enable its virtualization.
This architecture will be available in the 'Virtual Machine Platform' optional
component. This optional component will be available on all SKUs.

The Windows Subsystem for Linux lets developers run a GNU/Linux environment --
including most command-line tools, utilities, and applications -- directly on
Windows, unmodified, without the overhead of a traditional virtual machine or
dualboot setup.

You can:

 Choose your favorite GNU/Linux distributions from the Microsoft Store.

 Run common command-line tools such as grep, sed, awk, or other ELF-64
binaries.

 Run Bash shell scripts and GNU/Linux command-line applications including:

o Tools: vim, emacs, tmux

 o Languages: NodeJS, Javascript, Python, Ruby, C/C++, C# & F#, Rust,
Go, etc.

o Services: SSHD, MySQL, Apache, lighttpd, MongoDB, PostgreSQL.

 Install additional software using your own GNU/Linux distribution package

manager.

 Invoke Windows applications using a Unix-like command-line shell.

 Invoke GNU/Linux applications on Windows.

What is WSL 2?
WSL 2 is a new version of the Windows Subsystem for Linux architecture that powers the
Windows Subsystem for Linux to run ELF64 Linux binaries on Windows. Its primary
goals are to increase file system performance, as well as adding full system call
compatibility.

This new architecture changes how these Linux binaries interact with Windows and your
computer's hardware, but still provides the same user experience as in WSL 1 (the current
widely available version).

Individual Linux distributions can be run with either the WSL 1 or WSL 2 architecture.
Each distribution can be upgraded or downgraded at any time and you can run WSL
1 and WSL 2 distributions side by side. WSL 2 uses an entirely new architecture that
benefits from running a real Linux kernel.

Windows Subsystem for Linux Installation Guide for Windows 10

In this article
1. Simplified Installation for Windows Insiders
2. Manual Installation Steps

3. Step 1 - Enable the Windows Subsystem for Linux

4. Step 2 - Update to WSL 2

5. Step 3 - Enable Virtual Machine feature

6. Step 4 - Download the Linux kernel update package

7. Step 5 - Set WSL 2 as your default version

8. Step 6 - Install your Linux distribution of choice

 9. Install Windows Terminal (optional)

10. Set your distribution version to WSL 1 or WSL 2

11. Troubleshooting installation

There are two options available for installing Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL):

 Simplified install (preview release): wsl --install

The wsl --install simplified install command requires that you join the
Windows Insiders Program and install a preview build of Windows 10 (OS build
20262 or higher), but eliminates the need to follow the manual install steps. All you
need to do is open a command window with administrator privileges and run wsl
--install, after a restart you will be ready to use WSL.

 Manual install: Follow the six steps listed below.

The manual install steps for WSL are listed below and can be used to install Linux
on any version of Windows 10.

Simplified Installation for Windows Insiders

The installation process for Windows Subsystem for Linux has been significantly improved
in the latest Windows Insiders preview builds of Windows 10, replacing the manual steps
below with a single command.

In order to use the wsl --install simplified install command, you must:

 Join the Windows Insiders Program

 Install a preview build of Windows 10 (OS build 20262 or higher).

 Open a command line windows with Administrator privileges

Once those requirements are met, to install WSL:

 Enter this command in the command line you've opened in Admin mode: wsl.exe
--install
 Restart your machine

The first time you launch a newly installed Linux distribution, a console window will open
and you'll be asked to wait for files to de-compress and be stored on your PC. All future
launches should take less than a second.
You will then need to create a user account and password for your new Linux
distribution.

CONGRATULATIONS! You've successfully installed and set up a Linux distribution

that is completely integrated with your Windows operating system!

The --install command performs the following actions:

 Enables the optional WSL and Virtual Machine Platform components

 Downloads and installs the latest Linux kernel

 Sets WSL 2 as the default

 Downloads and installs a Linux distribution (reboot may be required)

By default, the installed Linux distribution will be Ubuntu. This can be changed
using wsl --install -d <Distribution Name>. (Replacing <Distribution Name>
with the name of your desired distribution.) Additional Linux distributions may be added to
your machine after the initial install using the wsl --install -d <Distribution Name>
command.

Deci implicit instaleaza UBUNTU, dar putem instala altceva daca dorim si
putem avea distributii aditionale instalate pe masina Deci SIMULTANM POT
FI MAI MULTE !!!! SI care dorim noi , putem allege distriBUTIA !!!!!!!

To see a list of available Linux distributions, enter wsl --list --online.

Manual Installation Steps

If you are not on a Windows Insiders build, the features required for WSL will need to be
enabled manually following the steps below.

Step 1 - Enable the Windows Subsystem for Linux

You must first enable the "Windows Subsystem for Linux" optional feature before
installing any Linux distributions on Windows.

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

PowerShell

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-

Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

We recommend now moving on to step #2, updating to WSL 2, but if you wish to only
install WSL 1, you can now restart your machine and move on to Step 6 - Install your
Linux distribution of choice. To update to WSL 2, wait to restart your machine and move
on to the next step.

Step 2 - Update to WSL 2

To update to WSL 2, you must be running Windows 10.

Requirements
 For x64 systems: Version 1903 or higher, with Build 18362 or higher.
 For ARM64 systems: Version 2004 or higher, with Build 19041 or higher.

 Builds lower than 18362 do not support WSL 2. Use the Windows Update Assistant to
update your version of Windows.

To check your version and build number, select Windows logo key + R, type winver,
select OK. (Or enter the ver command in Windows Command Prompt). Update to the
latest Windows version in the Settings menu.

Note

If you are running Windows 10 version 1903 or 1909, open "Settings" from your Windows
menu, navigate to "Update & Security" and select "Check for Updates". Your Build
number must be 18362.1049+ or 18363.1049+, with the minor build # over .1049. Read
more: WSL 2 Support is coming to Windows 10 Versions 1903 and 1909. See the
troubleshooting instructions.

Step 3 - Enable Virtual Machine feature

Before installing WSL 2, you must enable the Virtual Machine Platform optional feature.

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

PowerShell

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all

/norestart

Restart your machine to complete the WSL install and update to WSL 2.

Step 4 - Download the Linux kernel update package

1. Download the latest package:
o WSL2 Linux kernel update package for x64 machines

Note
 If you're using an ARM64 machine, please download the ARM64 package instead.
If you're not sure what kind of machine you have, open Command Prompt or
PowerShell and enter: systeminfo | find "System Type".

2. Run the update package downloaded in the previous step. (Double-click to run -
you will be prompted for elevated permissions, select ‘yes’ to approve this
installation.)

Once the installation is complete, move on to the next step - setting WSL 2 as your default
version when installing new Linux distributions. (Skip this step if you want your new
Linux installs to be set to WSL 1).

Note

For more information, read the article changes to updating the WSL2 Linux kernel,
available on the Windows Command Line Blog.

Step 5 - Set WSL 2 as your default version

Open PowerShell and run this command to set WSL 2 as the default version when
installing a new Linux distribution:

PowerShell

wsl --set-default-version 2

Note

The update from WSL 1 to WSL 2 may take several minutes to complete depending on the
size of your targeted distribution. If you are running an older (legacy) installation of WSL 1
from Windows 10 Anniversary Update or Creators Update, you may encounter an update
error. Follow these instructions to uninstall and remove any legacy distributions.

If wsl --set-default-version results as an invalid command, enter wsl --help. If the

--set-default-version is not listed, it means that your OS doesn't support it and you
need to update to version 1903, Build 18362 or higher.

If you see this message after running the command: WSL 2 requires an update to its
kernel component. For information please visit https://aka.ms/wsl2kernel.
You still need to install the MSI Linux kernel update package.

Step 6 - Install your Linux distribution of choice

1. Open the Microsoft Store and select your favorite Linux distribution.
 The following links will open the Microsoft store page for each distribution:

 Ubuntu 16.04 LTS

 Ubuntu 18.04 LTS

 Ubuntu 20.04 LTS

 openSUSE Leap 15.1

 SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP5

 SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP1

 Kali Linux

 Debian GNU/Linux

 Fedora Remix for WSL

 Pengwin
  Pengwin Enterprise

 Alpine WSL

 From the distribution's page, select "Get".

The first time you launch a newly installed Linux distribution, a console window will open
and you'll be asked to wait for a minute or two for files to de-compress and be stored on
your PC. All future launches should take less than a second.

You will then need to create a user account and password for your new Linux distribution.
ONGRATULATIONS! You've successfully installed and set up a Linux distribution
that is completely integrated with your Windows operating system!

Install Windows Terminal (optional)

Windows Terminal enables multiple tabs (quickly switch between multiple Linux
command lines, Windows Command Prompt, PowerShell, Azure CLI, etc), create custom
key bindings (shortcut keys for opening or closing tabs, copy+paste, etc.), use the search
feature, and custom themes (color schemes, font styles and sizes, background
image/blur/transparency). Learn more.

Install Windows Terminal.

Set your distribution version to WSL 1 or WSL 2
You can check the WSL version assigned to each of the Linux distributions you have
installed by opening the PowerShell command line and entering the command (only
available in Windows Build 18362 or higher): wsl -l -v

PowerShell

wsl --list --verbose

To set a distribution to be backed by either version of WSL please run:

PowerShell

wsl --set-version <distribution name> <versionNumber>

Make sure to replace <distribution name> with the actual name of your distribution and
<versionNumber> with the number '1' or '2'. You can change back to WSL 1 at anytime by
running the same command as above but replacing the '2' with a '1'.

Additionally, if you want to make WSL 2 your default architecture you can do so with this
command:

PowerShell

wsl --set-default-version 2
This will set the version of any new distribution installed to WSL 2.

Troubleshooting installation
Below are related errors and suggested fixes. Refer to the WSL troubleshooting page for
other common errors and their solutions.

 Installation failed with error 0x80070003

o The Windows Subsystem for Linux only runs on your system drive (usually this is
your C: drive). Make sure that distributions are stored on your system drive:

o Open Settings -> **System --> Storage -> More Storage Settings: Change where
new content is saved

 WslRegisterDistribution failed with error 0x8007019e

 The Windows Subsystem for Linux optional component is not enabled:

 Open Control Panel -> Programs and Features -> Turn Windows Feature on
or off -> Check Windows Subsystem for Linux or using the PowerShell cmdlet
mentioned at the beginning of this article.

 Installation failed with error 0x80070003 or error 0x80370102

 Please make sure that virtualization is enabled inside of your computer's BIOS. The
instructions on how to do this will vary from computer to computer, and will most
likely be under CPU related options.

 Error when trying to upgrade: Invalid command line option: wsl --set-
version Ubuntu 2

 Enure that you have the Windows Subsystem for Linux enabled, and that you're
using Windows Build version 18362 or higher. To enable WSL run this command
in a PowerShell prompt with admin privileges: Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature
-Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux.

 The requested operation could not be completed due to a virtual disk system
limitation. Virtual hard disk files must be uncompressed and unencrypted and must
not be sparse.

 Deselect “Compress contents” (as well as “Encrypt contents” if that’s checked) by

opening the profile folder for your Linux distribution. It should be located in a
folder on your Windows file system, something like: USERPROFILE
%\AppData\Local\Packages\CanonicalGroupLimited...
 In this Linux distro profile, there should be a LocalState folder. Right-click this
folder to display a menu of options. Select Properties > Advanced and then ensure
that the “Compress contents to save disk space” and “Encrypt contents to secure
 data” checkboxes are unselected (not checked). If you are asked whether to apply
this to just to the current folder or to all subfolders and files, select “just this folder”
because you are only clearing the compress flag. After this, the wsl --set-
version command should work.

Note

In my case, the LocalState folder for my Ubuntu 18.04 distribution was located at
C:\Users<my-user-
name>\AppData\Local\Packages\CanonicalGroupLimited.Ubuntu18.04onWindows_79rhk
p1fndgsc

Check WSL Docs GitHub thread #4103 where this issue is being tracked for updated
information.

 The term 'wsl' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file,
or operable program.
o Ensure that the Windows Subsystem for Linux Optional Component is installed.
Additionally, if you are using an ARM64 device and running this command from
PowerShell, you will receive this error. Instead run wsl.exe from PowerShell
Core, or Command Prompt.

 Error: This update only applies to machines with the Windows Subsystem for
Linux.
 o To install the Linux kernel update MSI package, WSL is required and should be
enabled first. If it fails, it you will see the message: This update only
applies to machines with the Windows Subsystem for Linux.

o There are three possible reason you see this message:

1. You are still in old version of Windows which doesn't support WSL 2. See step #2
for version requirements and links to update.

2. WSL is not enabled. You will need to return to step #1 and ensure that the optional
WSL feature is enabled on your machine.

3. After you enabled WSL, a reboot is required for it to take effect, reboot your
machine and try again.

 Error: WSL 2 requires an update to its kernel component. For information

please visit https://aka.ms/wsl2kernel .

o If the Linux kernel package is missing in the %SystemRoot%\system32\lxss\tools

folder, you will encounter this error. Resolve it by installing the Linux kernel
update MSI package in step #4 of these installation instructions. You may need to
uninstall the MSI from 'Add or Remove Programs', and install it again.