- 23 July 2023
- 185
Install Linux on Windows with WSL: A Guide for Developers
Introduction:
Uncover the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), a potent utility that empowers developers to deploy diverse Linux distributions on a Windows PC. Get direct access to Linux applications, utilities, and Bash command-line tools on Windows without using a virtual machine or dual boot.
Prerequisites:
Ensure you are running Windows 10 version 2004 (Build 19041) or higher or Windows 11 to proceed with the WSL installation.
Install WSL Command:
With just one command, you can effortlessly install WSL in PowerShell or Windows Command Prompt. Execute “wsl –install” as an administrator and restart your machine.
Change the Default Linux Distribution:
The default Linux distribution is Ubuntu, Using the “-d” flag allows for changing it. Use “wsl –install -d <Distribution Name>” to specify the desired distribution.
Set Up Your Linux User Info:
After successfully installing WSL, configure an account and password for your Linux distribution Consult the Best Practices guide while preparing your WSL development environment.
Check WSL Version:
Find out the installed version of WSL In either PowerShell or Windows Command Prompt, execute “wsl -l -v” to retrieve this data.
Upgrade WSL Version from 1 to 2:
Newly installed systems automatically use WSL 2 as the default. Perform a Linux distribution upgrade using “wsl –set-version <distro name> to version 2”.
Run Multiple Linux Distributions:
Savor the freedom of running numerous Linux distributions through the utilization of WSL.. Use Windows Terminal for a seamless experience featuring customizable choices.
Try WSL Preview Features:
Sign up for the Windows Insiders Program in order to explore the latest WSL preview features and updates. Customize your build channel preference. selecting your preferred channel for builds.
Conclusion:
Through WSL, developers can leverage the joint strength of Windows and Linux on one machine. Install Linux distributions effortlessly, alter the default configurations, and smoothly operate multiple distributions with WSL, opening up a world of possibilities for your development environment.