The latest articles on DEV Community by Rahul Dabgotra (@rahuldabgotra). https://dev.to/rahuldabgotra https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F504718%2F96bb6ac1-91b8-4ea2-beb6-6fe88e3ea2fe.png https://dev.to/rahuldabgotra en Rahul Dabgotra Sun, 31 Jan 2021 12:44:10 +0000 https://dev.to/rahuldabgotra/windows-subsystem-for-linux-installation-guide-for-windows-10-228b https://dev.to/rahuldabgotra/windows-subsystem-for-linux-installation-guide-for-windows-10-228b <h1> WSL Installation Steps </h1> <h2> Step 1 - Enable the Windows Subsystem for Linux </h2> <p>You must first enable the "Windows Subsystem for Linux" optional feature before installing any Linux distributions on Windows.</p> <p>Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:<br> </p> <div class="highlight js-code-highlight"> <pre class="highlight powershell"><code><span class="n">dism.exe</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="nx">/online</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="nx">/enable-feature</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="nx">/featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="nx">/all</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="nx">/norestart</span><span class="w"> </span></code></pre> </div> <h2> Step 2 - Enable Virtual Machine feature </h2> <p>Before installing WSL 2, you must enable the Virtual Machine Platform optional feature. Your machine will require virtualization capabilities to use this feature.</p> <p>Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:<br> </p> <div class="highlight js-code-highlight"> <pre class="highlight powershell"><code><span class="n">dism.exe</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="nx">/online</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="nx">/enable-feature</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="nx">/featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="nx">/all</span><span class="w"> </span><span class="nx">/norestart</span><span class="w"> </span></code></pre> </div> <p>Restart your machine to complete the WSL install and update to WSL 2.</p> <h2> Step 3 - Download the Linux kernel update package </h2> <ol> <li>Download the latest package: <ul> <li> <a href="https://wslstorestorage.blob.core.windows.net/wslblob/wsl_update_x64.msi" rel="noopener noreferrer">WSL2 Linux kernel update package for x64 machines</a>.</li> </ul> </li> </ol> <p>Once the installation is complete, move on to the next step.</p> <h2> Step 4 - Install your Linux distribution of choice </h2> <ol> <li> <p>Open the Microsoft Store and select your favorite Linux distribution.<br> <a href="https://media.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fi%2Fdztiwuy1h5zkxrjgyzn9.png" class="article-body-image-wrapper"><img src="https://media.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fi%2Fdztiwuy1h5zkxrjgyzn9.png" alt="View of Linux distributions in the Microsoft Store"></a><br> The following are some example of distributions:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9n6svws3rx71" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ubuntu 20.04 LTS</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9PKR34TNCV07" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kali Linux</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9MSVKQC78PK6" rel="noopener noreferrer">Debian GNU/Linux</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><p>From the distribution's page, select "Get".</p></li> </ol> <p>The first time you launch a newly installed Linux distribution, a console window will open and you'll be asked to wait for a minute or two for files to de-compress and be stored on your PC. All future launches should take less than a second.</p> <p>You will then need to create a user account and password for your new Linux distribution.</p> <p>Ubuntu unpacking in the Windows console</p> <p>CONGRATULATIONS! You've successfully installed and set up a Linux distribution that is completely integrated with your Windows operating system!</p> wsl windows