Despite the fact that Windows is the most famous OS for desktops and laptops. It is not as open-source and safe as Linux OS. That is why many software developers and experts prefer the Linux operating system. In this post, we’ll show you how to install a how to Use Linux Terminal in Windows 10 using step-by-step instructions.

Microsoft has developed a bond with Ubuntu Linux’s developers, Canonical. This made it possible for Linux users to run their operating systems on Windows. Yes, you can install Linux alongside Windows 10 without having to use a dual boot system. You may also utilize VMWare/VirtualBox as your primary operating system by installing it. The Linux terminal in Windows 10 allows you to access a wide range of Linux commands and apps.

Ubuntu on Windows 10 by activating the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

If you want to use a Linux terminal on Windows 10, follow these steps.

First of all, you must enable the ‘Windows Subsystem for Linux’ functionality. You may choose from a variety of Linux distributions to download and install. WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) is a technology that turns Windows into a GNU/Linux operating system. You may use this environment to execute essential Linux command-line software and applications on Windows.

When you have enabled Windows 10’s Linux subsystem. Then you can download and install the Ubuntu, OpenSuse, SUSE Linux, and other Linux distributions.

But first, let’s look at how to install Linux and enable the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). Verify to see whether you’re using a version of Windows 10 that’s compatible. Only Windows 10 64-bit (as of version 1607) and Windows Server 2019 accept WSL.

• Go to the Windows Start menu and select ‘Settings’ to confirm your Windows version and configuration.
• Then, choose the ‘System’ option.
• Then, at the left bottom panel, pick the ‘About’ button to display the About page.
• You may view the ‘Version’ and ‘OS build’ of your Windows 10 on the About page, beneath Windows specs.

The Process to Activate the Windows Subsystem for Linux

WSL 1 and WSL 2 are two distinct sorts of WSL versions. They both allow for the seamless and ongoing installation of Linux into Windows. WSL 2, on the other hand, is the most recent and quickest version. It comes with Linux kernel and system call support. WSL 1 contains a translation layer that connects the kernels of Linux and Windows. WSL 2 requires Windows 10 x64 bit windows machines Version 1903 or above, with Build 18362 or higher.

WSL 1 requires Windows 10 x64 bit computers to run: Build 16215 or higher, with Version 1709 or above.

It makes no difference whether the version of WSL you wish to use. You must first activate it before you can use it.

• Directly enter Turn Windows features on and off into the Start Menu search bar to get started.
• Click the ‘Turn Windows features on and off’ control center from the results page.
• From the search results, pick the Turn Windows features on and off the controller.
• Then, go all the way down to ‘Windows Subsystem for Linux’.
• Check the box next to it and then press the ‘OK’ key.
• After completing the configuration, hit the ‘Restart now’ button to reboot your machine.

The Process to Activate WSL 1 via PowerShell

You may also configure WSL using the command-line program ‘PowerShell.’ This is similar to the Windows Features cpanel. To do so, launch ‘PowerShell’ as an Administrator and execute the command below.

Activate WSL 2

We advise that you upgrade your WSL to v2 for enhanced quality. This enables you to run a legitimate Linux kernel on Windows 10. Simply enable the ‘Virtual Machine Platform’ function in the Windows features control panel. You should also tick the checkbox for Windows Subsystem for Linux’.

This will take some time and will activate after a restart.

The Process to Activate WSL 2 via PowerShell

Now, you need to activate the Virtual Machine Platform on Windows. The ‘PowerShell’ command-line tool may also be used to activate WSL 2. To do so, log in as an administrator to ‘PowerShell’. Then, with the WSL 1 command, execute the following extra command.

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

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

Configure the default version of WSL 2

To begin, get the WSL Linux kernel package update for x64 computers. Execute the.msi installer that you acquired. It will just take a few seconds. Launch PowerShell to make WSL 2 your default version. After that, execute the following command:

wsl –set-default-version 2

Then reboot your pc to change the WSL 1 to WSL 2 functionality.

Run the setup of your preferred Linux distribution

We’ve activated WSL; now it’s time to install a Linux distribution. To begin, type ‘Microsoft Store’ into the Start Menu search box. Then, from the results page, click it. In the Windows Store, you’ll find a collection of all Linux distributions currently accessible. All are backed up by WSL.

For the time being, we’ll go with ‘Ubuntu.’

Hit the ‘Get’ option on the Ubuntu installation screen.

Ubuntu will now be downloaded from the internet on your machine without your intervention.

To start the console, select the ‘Launch’ box once the installation is complete. The programme may also be started from the Windows Start Menu.

You will see a new Ubuntu terminal window. It requires a few minutes for the Ubuntu environment to be registered with WSL on the initial launch.

After that, you’ll be prompted to make a “new Unix username” and “new password” in the console. Continue the configuration by entering the new username and password.

It will send you to the bash command line after the installation is complete. It is preferable to upgrade the programme as soon as possible. The apt command in Ubuntu makes it easy to find for, download, and install software upgrades.

To upgrade the programme, use the command below. You’ll also be asked for your password. Then, to execute the programme as an administrator, enter the newly generated password.

sudo apt update

Ubuntu will fetch a set of acceptable packages. However, they have not yet been updated. Enter the following command to update all available packages.

sudo apt upgrade

To complete the activation, type ‘Y’ at the prompt. The command ‘dist-upgrade’ updates packages to their most recent versions.

Windows 10’s bash shell

Enter ‘bash’ further into the Start Menu search area to launch the bash shell. Then double-click to start the bash command-line interface. You may now begin running commands from there. Now you can take use of Linux on Windows!