How to Install Linux on Windows 10/11 Using WSL

How to install linux on windows 10? The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a game-changer for developers, sysadmins, and tech enthusiasts. It lets you run a full Linux environment natively on Windows 10/11 without dual-booting or virtual machines.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How to install and configure WSL 2 (the latest version as of 2023).
• Enable GPU acceleration for AI/ML workloads.
• Access Windows files from Linux (and vice versa).
• Troubleshoot common issues like virtualization errors.

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What is WSL in 2023?

WSL is a compatibility layer developed by Microsoft to run Linux binaries natively on Windows. Unlike virtual machines, WSL integrates directly with your OS, offering:

• Near-native performance for Linux tools (e.g., Python, Docker).
• GPU Passthrough for machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow.
• Systemd Support to manage background services (e.g., Docker, NGINX).

Why Developers Love WSL:

• Run Linux-only tools (e.g., apt, grep) alongside Visual Studio Code.
• Test cross-platform apps without leaving Windows.

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How to Install Linux on Windows 10? (Step 1: Install WSL on Windows 10/11)

Requirements

• Windows 10 (Build 19041+) or Windows 11.
• Virtualization Enabled in BIOS/UEFI (Intel VT-x/AMD-V).
• 4GB RAM (8GB+ recommended for heavy workloads).

Installation Steps

1. Enable WSL:
   • Open PowerShell as Admin and run: wsl --install
   • This installs WSL 2 and the default Ubuntu distribution.
2. Restart Your PC.
3. Launch Ubuntu:
   • Open Ubuntu from the Start Menu.
   • Create a Unix username and password (required for sudo commands).

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Step 2: Install Custom Linux Distributions

1. Open Microsoft Store and search for your preferred distro:
   • Kali Linux (for penetration testing).
   • Debian (for stability).
   • Fedora (for cutting-edge packages).
2. Click Install and launch the distro from the Start Menu.

Pro Tip: List installed distros with:

powershell

wsl --list --verbose  

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Step 3: Enable Advanced WSL Features

GPU Acceleration

1. Install NVIDIA/CUDA Drivers or AMD ROCm for Windows.
2. Run Linux GPU workloads (e.g., PyTorch) directly from WSL.

Systemd Support

• To enable systemd (for Docker, cron jobs), create /etc/wsl.conf:

• Restart WSL:

File Sharing

• Windows → Linux: Access files at /mnt/c/Users/yourname.
• Linux → Windows: Navigate to \\wsl$\Ubuntu\home\yourname in File Explorer.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue 1: “Virtualization Not Enabled”

Fix:

1. Restart PC > Enter BIOS/UEFI (usually via F2/Del).
2. Enable Intel VT-x, AMD-V, or SVM Mode.

Issue 2: WSL Fails to Start

Fix:

1. Update Windows:

1. Reset WSL:

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How to Install Linux on Windows 10 (FAQ)

Q: Does WSL work on Windows 10 Home?
A: Yes! WSL 2 is supported on Windows 10 Home (Build 19041+).

Q: Can I run GUI Linux apps?
A: Yes! Install a third-party X server like GWSL or use Windows 11’s built-in GUI support.