Enable WSL 2 using CMD & PowerShell : If you running Windows 11, to run a different environment like a Linux Distro , usually one will have to depend on third-party applications like VirtualBox, etc. However, Windows offers Native applications like Hypervisor Platform which supports Virtual Environment. Additionally, Windows provides Windows Subsystem for Linux , a feature that allows user to download and install Linux Distributions like Ubuntu hassle-free on the Windows OS itself. This latest article will guide you through the steps on How to Enable WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) on Windows 11 using the Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell (CLI Method). We also have covered an article that explains How to enable WSL 2 using Windows Features (GUI Method). Let’s get started.
Easy way to Enable WSL 2 via the Command Prompt (CMD)
This section will provide the step by step explanation on How to Enable this feature using the CMD.
- Go to the Start menu , alternatively, you can use the shortcut Win Key + S. Search for Command Prompt. Make sure to Run the Command Prompt as Administrator. User Account Control will prompt for your confirmation. Click Yes to continue.
Run Command Prompt as Administrator
- You can now paste the following command in the CMD and then click Enter.
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart
WSL 2 Enable Command via CMD
- The above command will enable Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 and also will make that the System does not restart on its own during the process.
The System is enabling WSL 2
- When you get the message “ The Operation Completed Successfully “, then WSL 2 is now enabled.
Operation Completed Successfully
- The Virtual Machine Platform is a crucial component required for running WSL 2 on Windows 11. It provides the underlying virtualization layer needed to run Linux distributions in a more efficient and isolated environment.
- To Enable Virtual Machine Platform via the Command Prompt, kindly execute the following command in the CMD.
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart
Command to Enable Virtual Machine Platform using Command Prompt
- The system will now enable this feature on Windows 11. Kindly wait for the “ The operation completed successfully ” message.
Virtual Machine Platform Enabled Successfully
- It is highly recommended to do a restart after this process. You can then install your desired Linux Distribution from the Microsoft Store as a WSL App.
Install your desired Linux Distribution as a WSL App
Decoding WSL 2 CMD Command
Decoding WSL 2 Enable CMD Command
Quick Way to Enable WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux 2) using Windows PowerShell
In this section, we will check out How to Enable Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 via the Windows PowerShell.
- Open Windows PowerShell using the Start menu , and Run Windows PowerShell as Administrator.
Run PowerShell as Administrator
- In the PowerShell, enter the following command.
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux -All -NoRestart
Command to enable WSL 2 using Windows PowerShell
- The system will now enable Windows Subsystem for Linux. The Online status “ True ” indicates that the WSL 2 is now enabled. As we are using NoRestart tag , the system will not restart automatically.
WSL 2 Enabled via PowerShell
- Next, enter the command to enable Virtual Machine Platform.
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName VirtualMachinePlatform -All -NoRestart
PowerShell command to enable Windows Virtual Machine Platform
- The system will enable Virtual Machine Platform now.
Virtual Machine Platform Enabled via Windows PowerShell
- Kindly Restart your System. You can now install your favorite Linux Distro using WSL App.
Information on the Go!
If you want to use WSL 2 which offers a full Linux kernel and better performance , you can use the following command in the PowerShell.
wsl --set-default-version 2
Let’s Decode WSL2 Enable PowerShell Command
Decoding WSL 2 Enable Windows PowerShell Command
Take away
With WSL 2 enabled on Windows 11 , you can execute Linux commands , use the package managers like APT, and YUM and even run Linux applications directly in Windows without the need for virtualization software like VirtualBox or VMware. Additionally, setting WSL 2 as the default version ensures that you get the most optimized performance from your Linux distributions on Windows environment. If you have any queries , kindly let us know in the comment section. For more interesting articles, stay tuned to Winsides.com. Happy Computing! Peace out!
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