Introduction:
Many beginners believe that to learn Linux, they must rent an EC2 instance on AWS or create a virtual machine on Azure or GCP. These cloud options work, but let’s be real they come with a price tag and internet dependency. But what if I told you there’s a pocket-friendly, offline, and genuine way to run Linux directly on your Windows system?
Yes, it's called WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) and in most cases, a single command gets the job done:
wsl --install
But wait... it’s not always that simple. Let’s walk through the full, real-world guide including the common error traps and how to fix them.
What is WSL?
WSL allows you to run a real Linux environment natively on Windows, without dual-booting or installing a separate virtual machine. It supports tools like Bash, Git, apt, and even Docker right from your Windows machine.
Prerequisites Before You Run wsl --install
Here’s where most people trip up (yes, me too!). Even though Microsoft says “just run the command,” WSL depends on your system’s BIOS and hardware settings. Make sure to:
Enable Virtualization in BIOS
Step 1: Reboot your system.
Step 2: Enter in your BIOS/UEFI (usually by pressing F2, Del, or Esc)
Step 3: Navigate to the Configuration Tab.
Step 4: Select Virtualization.
Step 5: Press Enter, and change the status "Enabled"
Step 6: Navigate to Save & Exit
What after enabling Virtualization in BIOS ?
Step 1: Go to your computer's Command Prompt (CMD)
Step 2: Execute wsl --install command.
Step 3: Give username of your Linux environment.
Step 4: Provide password to your Linux user.
Why This is a Hidden Gem (And Cost-Saver!)
• No cloud fees.
• No internet dependency after setup.
• No need for heavy VMs like VirtualBox or VMware.
• Fully functional Linux terminal inside Windows.
• Works great even on mid-range laptops.
Conclusion:
In a world where people are renting servers and spinning up costly VMs to “learn Linux,” WSL stands out as a free, fast, and frictionless alternative. Just configure your BIOS, run wsl --install, and you're good to go. Trust me — if you're learning Linux, this is the most underrated tool on your machine.
Author’s Note:
Tried this out? Got stuck? Let me know in the comments or connect with me — I’ve been through the errors and figured out the tweaks.
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