We can now see the steady flow of users to Windows 11 as it offers more features and services. Microsoft has added new exciting features to Windows 11 to ease the day-to-day operations of its users. Users can now run Linux software on their Windows 11 using the WSL. Additionally, users are free to install Ubuntu or another Linux distribution based on their preferences.
Like the previous version of Windows, the latest Operating System also uses WSL Second Version. This version is designed to run the whole Linux kernel on a Hyper-V hypervisor for better compatibility. You can now install WSL 2 on all editions of Windows 11. Today in this article, we will teach you how to install Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) on your PC and update the Linux kernel on Windows 11. Let’s have a look,
Steps to Install Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) on Windows 11:
You can follow the below steps to install Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) using Command Prompt,
- Firstly, click on the Start button on your Windows 11.
- Then type ‘command prompt’ and select the first result; make sure you open it with administrative access.
- Now inside the Command Prompt window, type or copy then paste the following command and press Enter,
wsl –install
- If the command is executed, the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) will get installed on your system automatically.
- Once done, restart the system complete the installation process.
- Finally, Continue setting up Linux distro as needed.
Now check the necessary Linux components and the latest version of Ubuntu Linux distribution installed on your system.
Steps to Install Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) With Different Distro on Windows 11:
Using the below-given steps, you can install a specific distro if you need.
- Firstly, click on the Start button on your Windows 11.
- Then type ‘command prompt’ and select the first result; make sure you open it with administrative access.
- Now inside the Command Prompt window, type or copy then paste the following command and press Enter to view a list of available WSL distros that can install on your system.
wsl –list –online
- Again, type the following command and then press Enter to install the WSL with a specific distro,
wsl –install -d DISTRO-NAME
- Here, in the place of ‘NAME’, you need to type the distro you need, such as Debian, Kali Linux or openSUSE.
- Once done, restart your system to complete the installation process.
- Finally, Continue setting up Linux distro as needed.
Now you have installed Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) components with the specific distro of Linux.
Steps to Update the WSL kernel on Windows 11:
You can follow the below steps to update the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) kernel to the latest version.
- Firstly, click on the Start button on your Windows 11.
- Then type ‘command prompt’ and select the first result; make sure you open it with administrative access.
- Now inside the Command Prompt window, type or copy then paste the following command and press Enter to update the WSL kernel on your system.
wsl –update
- Once done, the latest version of WSL kernel will automatically download and install on your Windows 11.
Steps to Install WSL from Windows 11 Microsoft Store:
The new Windows 11 Store allows its users to download WSL as an app with all its components. The most significant advantage of this method is that this feature runs isolated from Windows 11, and you can get updates through the Microsoft Store. You need to follow these steps to install WSL from the MS Store.
You need to Enable Virtual Machine Platform:
- Firstly, type Turn Windows Features on or off in the Windows 11 search box and open the relevant result.
- In the Windows Features window, tick the check box beside the option Virtual Machine Platform and click on the OK button.
- Finally, click on the Restart button.
- Once done, you can download the WSL from Microsoft Store.
Download Windows Subsystem for Linux app:
- Firstly go to the official page of Windows Subsystem for Linux.
- Then click on the Get button and then click on the Open button.
- Now again, click on the Get button to install Windows Subsystem for Linux app on your system.
- Once done, the WSL will get installed on your PC with the support for Linux GUI apps.
So these are all about installing Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) on Windows 11. If you have any doubts or feedback after reading this article, please leave a comment in the below comment box.