You don’t need dual boot anymore; Windows can do Linux now.

No, I’m not talking about virtual machines.

A little story: I used to keep a dual-boot setup, Windows for comfort and gaming, Linux for stability and backend development. Juggling the two was a pain: rebooting every time, managing file systems, and keeping environments in sync.

Then I discovered Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). With WSL, Windows can run a full Linux environment natively. That means you get the stability and tooling of Linux without leaving Windows.

How It Works

• Enable WSL: On Windows 10 or 11, you can enable WSL from PowerShell:

   wsl --install

This installs the default Linux distribution (Ubuntu) automatically.

• Choose Your Distribution: You can pick Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, or others from the Microsoft Store.
• Run Linux Natively: Open a terminal and you’re in a Linux shell. You can:
  • Run Bash scripts
  • Install packages with apt or yum
  • Start servers and backend services
  • Access your Windows files seamlessly
  • Integration: Linux commands and tools can work alongside Windows apps. Use VS Code, Docker, or databases from either environment.

Why It’s Great

• Linux stability: Manage servers, scripts, and development tools reliably.
• Windows familiarity: Continue using your favorite apps and workflows.
• No reboot needed: Switch seamlessly between environments.

For backend developers, WSL is a game-changer. You can build, test, and deploy in Linux while staying in the comfort of Windows. Dual boot is no longer necessary.

— Usman Zahid