How to Install WSL on Windows 11 for Seamless Linux Application Integration

Understanding Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)​

Prerequisites​

• Operating System: Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 2004 and higher (Build 19041 and higher).
• System Architecture: x64 or ARM64.
• Virtualization Support: Ensure that virtualization is enabled in your system's BIOS/UEFI settings.
• Administrative Privileges: You must have administrative rights on your Windows account to install and configure WSL.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide​

Step 1: Enable WSL and Virtual Machine Platform​

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
• Click on the Start menu, type cmd in the search bar, right-click on "Command Prompt," and select "Run as administrator."
• Install WSL:
• In the Command Prompt window, execute the following command:
  wsl --install
  This command will enable the necessary features and install the default Linux distribution, typically Ubuntu. If WSL is already installed, this command will update it to the latest version. (learn.microsoft.com)
• Restart Your Computer:
• Once the installation is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Step 2: Set Up Your Linux Distribution​

• Launch the Linux Distribution:
• Upon reboot, the installed Linux distribution (e.g., Ubuntu) may launch automatically. If it doesn't, open the Start menu, type the name of the distribution (e.g., "Ubuntu"), and select it.
• Create a User Account:
• The first launch will prompt you to create a UNIX username and password. This account is separate from your Windows account and is used within the Linux environment.
• Update and Upgrade Packages:
• It's advisable to update your package lists and upgrade the installed packages to ensure you have the latest versions:
  sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
  Enter your Linux password when prompted.

Step 3: Verify and Set WSL Version​

• Check Installed WSL Version:
• Open Command Prompt and run:
  wsl -l -v
  This command lists all installed distributions along with their WSL versions.
• Set WSL 2 as Default:
• To set WSL 2 as the default version for new installations, execute:
  wsl --set-default-version 2
  If you need to upgrade an existing distribution to WSL 2, use:
  wsl --set-version <DistributionName> 2
  Replace <DistributionName> with the name of your installed distribution. (learn.microsoft.com)

Step 4: Install Additional Linux Distributions (Optional)​

• List Available Distributions:
• In Command Prompt, run:
  wsl --list --online
  This command displays a list of available Linux distributions.
• Install a Specific Distribution:
• To install a specific distribution, use:
  wsl --install -d <DistributionName>
  Replace <DistributionName> with the desired distribution's name. (learn.microsoft.com)
• Set Up the New Distribution:
• After installation, launch the new distribution from the Start menu and complete the user account setup as described earlier.

Running Linux GUI Applications on Windows 11​

Step 1: Install the Latest WSL Preview​

• Install WSL Preview:
• Open the Microsoft Store, search for "Windows Subsystem for Linux Preview," and install it.
• Update WSL:
• In Command Prompt, run:
  wsl --update

Step 2: Install a Linux Distribution with GUI Support​

Step 3: Install GUI Applications​

• Update Package Lists:
• sudo apt update
• Install GUI Applications:
• For example, to install the gedit text editor:
  sudo apt install gedit -y

Step 4: Launch GUI Applications​

• Start the Application:
• In the Linux terminal, type the application's name:
  gedit
• The application window will appear on your Windows desktop, integrated seamlessly with your Windows environment.

Best Practices and Troubleshooting​

• File System Performance: For optimal performance, store your project files within the Linux file system (/home directory) rather than accessing them through the mounted Windows file system (/mnt/c).
• Networking: WSL 2 uses a virtualized network adapter, which may affect network configurations. Ensure your firewall and network settings accommodate this setup.
• Resource Management: WSL 2 utilizes a lightweight virtual machine. To manage resources, you can create a .wslconfig file in your user profile directory (C:\Users\<YourUsername>.wslconfig) with configurations such as:

  [wsl2]
  memory=4GB
  processors=2

• Troubleshooting: If you encounter issues:
• Check WSL Status:
• wsl --status
• Update WSL:
• wsl --update
• Restart WSL:
• wsl --shutdown