How To Install Windows Subsystem for Linux on Windows 11

If you’re looking to run Linux on your Windows 11 machine, you’re in luck! Microsoft has made it easier than ever to do so with the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). This feature allows you to install and run Linux distributions directly on your Windows 11 operating system, without the need for a virtual machine or dual boot setup.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to install WSL on Windows 11 and get started with using Linux on your system. Let’s get started!

What Is Windows Subsystem for Linux?

Windows Subsystem for Linux is a Windows feature that enable developers to run Linux on a Windows PC without a virtual machine. It lets you run different Linux distributions, like Debian, Fedora Linux, etc., on a Windows machine with ease.

What is the Difference Between WSL 1 and WSL 2?

WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) is a feature in Windows 10 and Windows 11 that allows users to run Linux applications directly on their Windows machine without the need for a virtual machine or dual boot setup.

There are two versions of WSL: WSL 1 and WSL 2. The main difference between the two is the architecture and underlying technology used to implement the subsystem.

WSL 1 uses a compatibility layer to translate Linux system calls into Windows system calls. This means that it runs Linux binaries natively on Windows but with some limitations. For example, WSL 1 doesn’t support full system calls, so some applications may not run as expected.

On the other hand, WSL 2 uses a lightweight virtual machine (VM) to run a full Linux kernel, allowing for better compatibility and performance. WSL 2 also offers features such as better file system performance and support for Docker containers.

Overall, if you’re looking for better performance and compatibility, WSL 2 is the better choice. However, if you just need to run some Linux binaries on your Windows machine, WSL 1 may be sufficient.

What Can You Do With Windows Subsystem for Linux on Windows 11/10?

With Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) on Windows 11, you can do a wide range of tasks and activities that are traditionally associated with Linux systems. Here are some examples:

1. Run Linux commands and utilities: With WSL, you can use many of the same command-line tools and utilities that are available in Linux, such as bash, grep, sed, and more.
2. Develop and run Linux applications: WSL provides a Linux-like environment that makes it easier to develop and run Linux applications directly on your Windows machine.
3. Access and work with Linux files: You can access and work with Linux files and directories directly from Windows Explorer or any other file manager on your system.
4. Use Linux package managers: WSL provides support for popular Linux package managers such as apt, yum, and zypper, allowing you to install and manage Linux packages just like you would on a native Linux system.
5. Set up development environments: You can set up development environments for popular programming languages like Python, Ruby, PHP, and more using WSL.
6. Run Linux servers: With WSL, you can set up and run Linux servers such as Apache, MySQL, and PostgreSQL directly on your Windows machine.
7. Use Linux containers: You can use WSL to run Linux containers with tools like Docker, allowing you to easily deploy and manage containerized applications.

WSL provides a powerful and flexible way to work with Linux on Windows 11, allowing you to take advantage of the best of both worlds.

What Are the Requirements To Install Windows Subsystem for Linux?

To install Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) on your Windows operating system, you will need to meet the following requirements:

1. You need to have a 64-bit version of Windows 10 or Windows Server 2019 or later. WSL is not available for earlier versions of Windows.
2. You need to have the Windows Subsystem for Linux feature enabled. You can enable this feature by going to the Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off, then selecting the Windows Subsystem for Linux option and clicking OK.
3. You also need to have Windows Update KB3176936 or a later update installed on your system.
4. You need to have enough disk space to install and run your Linux distribution. The amount of disk space required will depend on the Linux distribution you choose to install.
5. You need to have an internet connection to download and install the Linux distribution of your choice from the Microsoft Store.

Once you meet these requirements, you can download and install your preferred Linux distribution from the Microsoft Store and start using WSL.

How to Enable Virtual Machine Platform in Windows 11/10

You can enable the Virtual Machine Platform feature using Windows PowerShell (Admin).

Open PowerShell as administrator and run the below-mentioned command.

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

Top Methods To Install Windows Subsystem for Linux on Windows 11/10

Here in this section, we’ve mentioned four methods to install Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) on Windows 11. You can proceed with any mentioned method that seems easy to use to you.

To install WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) on Windows 11 from Command Prompt, use these steps:

1. Open Start on Windows 11.
2. Search for Command Prompt (or PowerShell), right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to install the WSL on Windows 11 and press Enter:wsl –install
4. Restart your computer to finish the WSL installation on Windows 11.
5. Continue with the Linux distro setup as necessary.

After you complete the steps, the required Linux components will install automatically on Windows 11 and the latest version of the Ubuntu Linux distribution.

Install WSL with specific distro on Windows 11

If you prefer another flavor of Linux, the WSL2 command includes an option to view and select a different distro.

To install WSL with a specific distro on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to view a list of available WSL distros you can install on Windows 11 and press Enter:wsl –list –onlineQuick note: You can install Ubuntu, Debian, Kali Linux, openSUSE, and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.
4. Type the following command to install the WSL with a specific distro on Windows 11 and press Enter:wsl –install -d DISTRO-NAMEIn the command, remember to replace “DISTRO-NAME” with the name of the distro you want to install, such as Debian.
5. Restart your computer to finish the WSL installation on Windows 11.
6. Continue with the Linux distro setup as necessary.

Once you complete the steps, the Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 components will install along with the distro of Linux you specified. 

Update WSL kernel on Windows 11

To update the WSL kernel from Command Prompt, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to update the WSL kernel on Windows 11 and press Enter:wsl –update

After you complete the steps, if an update is available, it will download and install on your computer.

Install WSL from Microsoft Store

You can also download all the components wrapped into an app from the Microsoft Store. The benefit of using this approach is that feature will run isolated from Windows 11, and updates will be available through the Microsoft Store without waiting for the next version of the operating system to install the newest version.

To install WSL from the Microsoft Store, use these steps:

1. Enable Virtual Machine Platform

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Turn Windows Features on or off and click the top result to open the app.
3. Check the Virtual Machine Platform option.
4. Click the OK button.
5. Click the Restart button.

After completing the steps, you can download the app from the Microsoft Store.

2. Install Windows Subsystem for Linux app

1. Open the Windows Subsystem for Linux store page.
2. Click the Get button.
3. Click the Open button.
4. Click the Get button again.

3. Install Linux distro

1. Open Microsoft Store app.
2. Search for the Linux distro. For example, Debian.
3. Click the Get button.
4. Click the Open button.

Once you complete the steps, WSL will install on Windows 11, including the support for Linux GUI apps and the Linux distribution.

20 Basic Windows Subsystem for Linux Commands To Get Started Easily

If you’re completely new to the world of Linux and aren’t aware of the basic commands, then we’ve mentioned some basic yet important Linux commands in this section. You can check all the basic commands below and get started with Linux.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WSL Available for Windows 11?

Yes, Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is available for Windows 11. Besides this, it’s also available for Windows 10 version 2004 and higher.

How Do I Enable Windows Subsystem for Linux Optional Component in Windows 11?

To enable WSL optional component on your Windows 11 PC.

• Open the Windows Search Box and type Turn Windows Features on or off in it.
• Now, select Turn Windows Features on or off from the Best match section.
• Lastly, search for the Windows Subsystem for Linux feature in the Windows Features pop-up and check/tick the option to enable it. 

Why Is There Linux on Windows 11?

Microsoft released WSL in Windows 10 on August 2, 2016, so that developers can install and run different Linux distributions, like Ubuntu, Red Hat, etc., on their Windows 11 PC with ease. It was introduced to eliminate the process of creating virtual machines, disk partitions, etc.

Is Windows 11 Actually Linux?

No, Windows and Linux are both different operating systems. However, both operating systems have some similarities, which makes us believe that both are the same. For instance, Windows 11 can run graphical Linux apps using WSL, which Linux also supports. Another thing that made both OSs look similar is the taskbar design, which looks similar to the dock in Linux desktops.

Is WSL As Good as Linux?

No, WSL isn’t as good as Linux, as it hasn’t made much improvement in the past few years. But it supports all kinds of tasks that Linux can do. For instance, you can run Bash shell scripts, install Linux graphical applications, and do much more without any restrictions. You can also install any Linux distribution on your Windows PC in a few simple steps with the help of WSL.

Finally! You Can Use Any Linux Distribution on Your Windows PC With Ease

Earlier, running Linux on Windows was such a complicated and time-consuming task. But now, it has become so smooth and effortless with WSL. You can run Linux commands and programs directly on your Windows PC without implementing any hard-to-follow method.

We hope the above-mentioned methods helped you enable WSL on your computer and install your favorite Linux distribution. Before saying goodbye, let us know which method you used to enable WSL on your Windows 11 PC?