Like Windows or macOS, Linux is an operating system that is favored by professionals like sys admins and skilled developers. Even though many individuals, such as programmers, would wish to use Linux because of its open-source nature and other functions, it is not just for expert usage. It might be difficult to transition to Linux if you have been utilizing Windows as your operating system for a while. So, in this article, we will learn how to install Windows Subsystem for Linux on Windows 11.
The Linux Windows Subsystem is now available. It can be viewed as a compromise because the Windows Subsystem for Linux is an environment. It is once established, then it enables you to execute Linux command lines and programs without a graphical user interface.
What is actually WSL, or Windows Subsystem for Linux and how does it function?
The functionality known as Windows Subsystem for Linux, when activated, generates a new environment in which Linux distributions can execute. The benefit of implementing this tool is that you won’t need to rinse the Windows OS in order to go through it. It allows you to run Windows and distribute Linux concurrently in a virtual environment. You might or might not have a frontend, relying on the Linux distribution you select.
A Linux distribution or kernel may be simulated on top of the Windows platform thanks to the WSL. Windows OS provides a lot of variants and kernels, including Kali Linux, Ubuntu, Debian, and AlpineWSL. You may carry out a variety of tasks using the virtualized kernel, such as application components, operating as a virtual machine, carrying out similar tasks, etc.
Activating Windows Subsystem for Linux using the Control Panel
- First, utilize the Start Menu search to look for “Control Panel” and then choose it from the search result.
- Now, you need to click “Programs” in the Control Panel box.
- Thereafter, you have to choose “Turn Windows feature on or off” from the Programs and Features menu.
- The ‘Windows Features’ box will open in a new window. Activate the checkbox next to “Windows Subsystem for Linux” in the features available, then you have to click “OK.”
- Windows will immediately begin downloading and installing the technology when you tap OK. You can keep track of the transferring of data in a new window that will open up named “Windows Features.”
- You must reboot your computer when the file is downloaded in order to complete the setup. To quickly reboot your machine, you can click the “Restart immediately” button.
Employing Windows PowerShell to enable Windows Subsystem for Linux
Execute command lines using the administrative utility Windows PowerShell. In order to set up the Windows Subsystem for Linux, we must carry out this step. The setup process will start immediately if you execute the following command.
- Go to Start Menu search and enter “Windows Powershell” to get going. Choose “Run as Administrator” from the context menu when you right-click the software in the search results.
- Copy and paste the following code into the PowerShell screen, and then hit the Submit key on your keyboard to execute the command.
- Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux
- PowerShell will prompt you to reboot your device once you hit Enter on your computer. To start the reboot, type Y on your keyboard and then Enter.
The procedure to choose a Linux distribution to download
Once you have succeeded in configuring and implementing the Windows Subsystem for Linux completely. All that’s left to do here is get a Linux distribution or distro to get started using Linux on your computer. Fortunately, downloading a distribution from a third-party website doesn’t need you to conduct a web search. The Linux distribution may be easily downloaded from the Microsoft Store for Windows 11.
- By entering its name in Windows Lookup and choosing it from the list of results, you may access the Microsoft Store.
- Enter Ubuntu in the query box at the top of the Microsoft Store window and choose the software from the list of results.
- When the app page has loaded, then choose “Get” by tapping the blue button.
- The Linux distribution will download once you press “Get,” and your Windows 11 PC may now perform Linux commands and programs.
Linux Windows Subsystem Uninstall Instructions
You must first remove the distribution in order to entirely uninstall Windows Subsystem for Linux from your device.
- To get going, use Windows+i to reveal the Settings menu. Tap “Apps” from the left panel of the Settings window, and then just choose “Apps & features” from the right panel.
- After that, identify “Ubuntu” or the distribution you downloaded from the Microsoft Store by scrolling down on the programs list. You need to Hit “Uninstall” after clicking on the three vertical dots.
- Following that, you can select “Uninstall,” in order to remove the distribution from your machine completely.
- Disabling the Windows Subsystem for Linux is the next step after uninstalling the distribution. To accomplish that, locate the Control Panel in the Start Menu search and launch it once more.
- In the next stage, you need to click “Programs” in the Control Panel box.
- So after, you have to select “Turn Windows features on or off” from the Programs and Features area.
- A new window titled “Windows Features” will open, you can deselect the checkbox next to “Windows Subsystem for Linux” and then choose “OK” to continue.
- The “Windows Subsystem for Linux” has now been fully eliminated from your machine. After clicking “OK,” you should reboot your computer to finish the removal.
Who is WSL intended for?
This tool is designed for developers, particularly web developers, open source project contributors, and those deploying to Linux server settings. WSL is for anybody who appreciates utilizing both Windows productivity tools and Linux-first frameworks like Bash, standard Linux tools, and Ruby and Python.
What hardware requirements does WSL have?
You must fulfill one condition in order to install WSL on Windows. You need a machine running Windows 10 64-bit Build 18917 or later in order to configure WSL.
Conclusion
These instructions cover every step of installing Windows Subsystem for Linux on Windows 11, I hope you will find them helpful.