How to Install Linux on Windows 10 Using WSL


Campus Guides
2023-07-09T19:48:40+00:00

How to Install Linux on Windows 10 Using WSL

In the current era of computing, compatibility has acquired a fundamental role For the users. With Windows 10 and its Linux Subsystem for Windows (WSL) feature, developers and tech enthusiasts now have the ability to install and run Linux distributions on their machines with unprecedented ease. In this article, we will explore Step by Step how to install linux in Windows 10 using WSL, providing users with a simple and powerful solution to take advantage of the best of both worlds: the operating system most popular and the flexibility and stability of the Linux environment.

1. Introduction to Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a tool developed by Microsoft that allows users to run Linux distributions directly on Windows systems. This provides developers and system administrators the ability to use Linux tools and commands without having to install a separate partition or virtual machine.

Installing WSL is a quick and simple process. First, you must make sure you have the updated version Windows 10 and enable the WSL feature in Windows Features. You can then choose the distribution you want to use, such as Ubuntu or Debian, from the Microsoft Store. Once the distribution is installed, you can access it from the Windows start menu and follow the initial configuration steps.

Once configured, WSL allows you to use a wide range of Linux tools and commands on your Windows system. You can run basic Linux commands, install software packages, compile programs, and run shell scripts. Additionally, WSL offers seamless integration with the Windows file system, allowing you to access and manipulate files in both the Linux environment and the Windows environment.

2. Prerequisites to install Linux on Windows 10 with WSL

Before you start installing Linux on Windows 10 using WSL, it is important to ensure that certain prerequisites are met. These requirements will ensure a successful installation and a smooth user experience. Below are the necessary requirements:

1. Windows 10 or higher: WSL is available since Windows 10 update version 1607. Make sure your operating system is updated to a supported version.

2. Activate WSL: Before you can install and use Linux on Windows 10, you must enable the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) feature. This Can be done through the Windows Control Panel or using PowerShell. Follow the instructions provided by Microsoft to activate WSL on your system.

3. Available disk space: Make sure you have enough space available on your HDD to host your Linux installation and the applications you want to run. It is recommended to have at least 20 GB of free space for optimal performance.

3. Downloading and installing WSL on Windows 10

To download and install WSL on Windows 10, follow these steps:

  • Open the start menu and search for “Settings”.
  • Click on “Update and security”.
  • Select “For Developers” from the left menu.
  • Check the box that says "Programmer mode."

Then follow these steps to activate WSL:

  • Open PowerShell as administrator.
  • Write the following command: Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux.
  • Press Enter and wait for the installation process to complete.

Finally, you must restart the system for the changes to take effect. After rebooting, WSL will be accessible and ready to use.

4. Setting up WSL for Linux installation on Windows 10

If you are a Windows 10 user and want to use Linux on your operating system without having to install a new partition, you can take advantage of the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). Before you begin, make sure you have the latest version of Windows 10 installed, as WSL is available starting with the Windows 10 Creators Update.

To configure WSL, follow these steps:

  • Open the Start menu and search for “Windows Features.”
  • Select “Turn Windows features on or off.”
  • In the list of features, look for “Windows Subsystem for Linux” and check the box.
  • Click "OK" and wait for the installation to complete.
  • Reboot your system when prompted.

Once your system has rebooted, you are ready to install a WSL-compatible Linux distribution. You can access the Microsoft Store and search for popular distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian or Fedora. Click on the distribution you want and then “Get” to start the installation. Once installed, you will be able to run the Linux distribution as a separate window on your Windows 10 desktop.

5. Selecting and downloading the right Linux distribution for WSL

This is an essential step to get the most out of this tool. Fortunately, there are several popular distributions available for use in WSL, each with their own features and benefits. Here we will provide you with a step-by-step guide to help you select and download the right Linux distribution for WSL.

1. Research the options: Before choosing a Linux distribution, it is important to do your research and familiarize yourself with the different options available. Some common and popular distributions include Ubuntu, Debian, and Kali Linux. Each of them is optimized for different use cases, so be sure to consider your needs and preferences.

2. Check out guides and tutorials: Once you've chosen a Linux distribution, look for online guides and tutorials to help you install and configure the distribution on WSL. These resources will provide you with detailed step-by-step instructions and help you avoid potential pitfalls during the installation process. They can also offer tips and tricks useful to get the most out of your Linux distribution on WSL.

6. Installing Linux distribution on Windows 10 using WSL

For those who want to install a Linux distribution on Windows 10 using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), here is a step-by-step tutorial to resolve this issue. WSL is a unique feature of Windows 10 that allows you to run a Linux environment directly on Windows without the need for a virtual machine.

Before you begin, make sure your Windows 10 system has WSL features enabled. To check this, go to the “Start” menu and search for “Turn Windows features on or off.” Next, expand “Windows Subsystem for Linux” and make sure the box is checked. If it is not, select it and click "OK."

Once WSL is enabled, go to the Microsoft Store and search for the Linux distribution you want to install. Microsoft offers several popular options such as Ubuntu, Debian, and Kali Linux. Click on the desired distribution and on the store page, click on the “Get” button to start the download and installation process. This process may take a while depending on the size of the distribution and the speed of your Internet connection.

7. Initial setup of the Linux distribution on Windows 10

One of the most attractive features of Windows 10 is the ability to run a Linux distribution directly on and operating system. This allows users to enjoy the benefits of Linux without having to install an additional operating system. Here we will show you how to perform the initial configuration of a Linux distribution on Windows 10.

Step 1: Before you begin, make sure your version of Windows 10 supports the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) feature. To verify this, you must have version 1607 or later installed. If you have an older version, you will need to update your operating system.

Step 2: Once compatibility is confirmed, you can proceed to install a Linux distribution. To do this, you must open the Windows Store and search for the distribution you want to use. Click “Get” and wait for the installation to complete.

Step 3: Once the Linux distribution is installed, open it and you will be asked to set a username and password. These data will be what you will use to access your Linux distribution on Windows 10. And that's it! Now you can enjoy all the benefits of Linux without leaving Windows.

8. Linux Command Line Interface on Windows 10 with WSL

Using the Linux command line interface on Windows 10 has become much easier thanks to Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). With WSL, you can run a Linux distribution on your Windows computer without the need to install a virtual machine or dual boot.

If you want to use the Linux command line interface on Windows 10, follow these steps:

  • Open Windows 10 Settings and go to the “Update and security” section.
  • Click “For Developers” in the left menu and activate the “Developer Mode” option.
  • After enabling Developer Mode, go to the “Windows Features” section in the same settings window and activate “Windows Subsystem for Linux.”
  • Go to the Microsoft Store and look for a supported Linux distribution, such as Ubuntu, SUSE, or Debian. Download it and install it on your computer.
  • Once the Linux distribution is installed, open it from the start menu. Here you will be asked to set up an account and set a password.

After following these steps, you will have access to a Linux command line interface on your Windows 10. This will allow you to run Linux-compatible commands and programs directly from your operating system Windows. You can use all of Linux's command-line features and tools, such as the apt package manager or the gcc compiler.

9. Management and updating of Linux distributions installed in WSL

One of the benefits of using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is the ability to easily manage and update installed Linux distributions. Here are some step-by-step solutions to resolve any issues related to management and updating.

1. Check and update WSL version: Before you begin, it is important to ensure that you have the latest version of WSL installed on your system. This can be done by running the command wsl -l -v on the Windows command line. In case there is an older version, it can be updated using the command wsl --set-version .

2. Update Linux distributions: Once the WSL version has been verified, it is possible to update installed Linux distributions. To do this, you can use the following command on the Windows command line: wsl --update. This command will update all Linux distributions installed on the system.

3. Manage updates: In addition to performing general updates, it is also possible to manage updates individually for each Linux distribution. To do this, you can use the command wsl --set-version . This will allow you to change the version of a specific distribution and keep it up to date as necessary.

10. Accessing Windows files and directories from a Linux distribution in WSL

One of the benefits of using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is the ability to access and manipulate Windows files and directories from a Linux distribution. This is especially useful when working in an environment where you need to access both Windows and Linux resources. This article will present a step-by-step tutorial on how to access Windows files and directories from a Linux distribution on WSL.

To start, it's important to note that WSL provides a compatibility layer that allows you to run Linux binaries directly on Windows. This means that Windows files and directories can be accessed from a Linux CLI in WSL. One of the easiest ways to access Windows files and directories is by using the special path / Mnt. This path contains the mount points for Windows disks in WSL.

Below is a practical example of how to access a Windows directory from WSL. Suppose you have a directory called C:Documents on Windows that you want to access from WSL. To do this, simply open a Linux terminal in WSL and use the command cd /mnt/c/Documents to navigate to the desired directory. Once in the directory of interest, you can manipulate the files and execute Linux commands normally.

11. Network configuration in WSL for connectivity with other machines

To configure the network in WSL and achieve connectivity with other machines, it is important to follow the following steps:

1. Network Adapter Configuration: To start, make sure that the default network adapter on your WSL is configured correctly. You can check this by opening the Windows Control Panel, selecting “Network and Internet,” then “Network and Sharing Center,” and clicking “Change adapter settings” in the left pane. Make sure the adapter you are using for the connection is enabled and configured to Obtain an IP address automatically.

2. Checking the IP Address: Once the network adapter has been configured, you can check the IP address assigned to your WSL machine. To do this, open the command line of your WSL distribution and run the “ipconfig” command. This will display the IP address assigned to your WSL virtual machine's network adapter. Make sure this IP address is in the same range as the network you want to connect to.

3. Configuring Firewall Rules: In some cases, you may need to configure firewall rules to allow connectivity to other machines on the network. You can do this through Windows firewall or any other firewall program you are using. Be sure to allow incoming and outgoing connections on the ports necessary for communication with the target machines. Additionally, you may also need to configure routing to allow traffic to pass through your WSL to other machines on the network.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully configure networking in WSL and achieve connectivity with other machines on your local network. Remember to check your network adapter, check the IP address assigned to your WSL machine, and configure the necessary firewall rules to allow communication.

12. Creating and running bash scripts on Linux with WSL

Creating and running bash scripts on Linux using WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) is an important skill for system administrators and developers. Bash scripts are scripts that automate repetitive tasks in the Linux operating system. With WSL, you can run Linux shell commands and scripts directly on your Windows machine, allowing for greater flexibility and productivity in system development and administration.

To create a bash script in WSL, simply open your terminal and create a new file with the .sh extension. You can use any text editor you prefer, such as Nano or Vi, to create and edit the file. It is important to remember that bash scripts must begin with the line #!/bin/bash, which indicates that the bash interpreter will be used to execute the script.

Once you have created the bash script file, you can start typing the commands you want to run. The commands in the script will be executed in the order they were written. You can include standard shell commands, Linux commands, custom functions, and comments in your script. To run the script, simply type the file name in the terminal and press Enter. Make sure the script has executable permissions by using the command chmod +x script_name.sh if necessary.

13. Troubleshooting common problems when installing Linux on Windows 10 using WSL

When installing Linux on Windows 10 using the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), sometimes common issues can arise that can make the process difficult. Fortunately, there are several solutions available to resolve these issues and ensure a successful installation.

First, it is important to verify that the version of Windows 10 is up to date and compatible with WSL. You can do this by checking for Windows updates in System Settings. If updates are available, be sure to install them before continuing with the Linux installation.

Another common problem can be lack of disk space to install Linux. To fix this, you can free up space by deleting unnecessary files or moving them to another hard drive. You can also expand disk space by partitioning or using disk management tools.

14. Conclusions and recommendations for installing Linux on Windows 10 using WSL

In summary, installing Linux on Windows 10 through WSL is an efficient solution for those users who want to enjoy the advantages of both. OS on the same team. Throughout this article, we have covered the steps necessary for a successful installation, as well as offered recommendations to optimize its operation.

Importantly, to ensure a smooth and trouble-free installation, it is essential to carefully follow the tutorials and steps provided by Microsoft. Furthermore, choosing the right Linux distribution is crucial to meet the user's needs. We recommend researching and trying different distributions before making a final decision.

Once Linux is installed on Windows 10 using WSL, users will be able to make use of powerful tools and applications provided by Linux, while maintaining the familiarity and compatibility of Windows. Taking advantage of these advantages, you can develop projects, carry out tests and make the most of the capabilities of both operating systems.

In short, WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) is an excellent option for Windows 10 users who want to have access to a Linux environment without having to abandon their main operating system. With simple installation and relatively easy configuration, WSL provides a technical solution for running Linux applications and commands on Windows.

After following the steps outlined in this article, you'll be ready to explore the world of Linux on your Windows 10 computer. With the ability to run Linux applications directly on your Windows operating system, you'll be able to enjoy the flexibility and power of both. platforms on a single device.

It is important to remember that WSL is not a full Linux virtual machine, but rather a compatibility layer that allows running Linux applications in a Windows environment. If you need more advanced functionality or want to work with specific Linux distributions, you may need to consider other options, such as installing a virtual machine.

Overall, installing Linux on Windows 10 using WSL gives users greater versatility and the ability to take advantage of the benefits of both platforms. If you are a developer, sysadmin, or just someone interested in exploring the world of Linux, don't hesitate to try WSL and experiment for yourself.

As the world of technology continues to evolve, it's exciting to see the barriers between operating systems become increasingly blurred. With tools like WSL, users can enjoy the comfort and familiarity of Windows while immersing themselves in the rich Linux ecosystem. So don't hesitate to explore and make the most of this powerful combination of technologies.

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