Windows Subsystem For Linux

Windows Subsystem For Linux

Windows maybe the best operating system I have worked. Now that it is a GUI for Linux.

Michael Baggett  - Imageless-Innovations -  Projects Manager About Me

Getting Started
Linux; Windows; Windows Subsystem Linux

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a feature of the Windows operating system that enables you to run a Linux file system, along with Linux command-line tools and GUI apps, directly on Windows, alongside your traditional Windows desktop and apps. WSL2 provides a truly great resource for developers and application testing.

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows you to install virtually any Linux distro on your Windows 10 or 11 machine, without the need for a traditional virtual machine or dualboot setup, and use Linux applications, utilities, and Bash command-line tools directly from Windows. You can install multiple Linux distros such as Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, Kali, Debian, Arch Linux, and Oracle Linux, and have them running at the same time.

Ubuntu is the default Linux distro in WSL, but you can change the default distro that is installed. Ubuntu offers a set of tutorials specifically for using the distro in WSL. The tutorials are available as text and video.

WSL 2 is only available for Windows 10, Version 1903, Build 18362 or later. If you are running a compatible version of Windows 10, you will need to update your version of WSL. Windows 11 was released with WSL 2 installed.

To get started, visit the Microsoft website for WSL2.

Some improvements in WSL2:

  • Uses a full Linux kerel.
  • Support for full system call compatibility.
  • Faster boot time and improved performance.
  • GNU\Linux graphical applications can be run directly from Windows.
  • Improved file system performance.
  • Use GPU acceleration for machine learning and data science.

A thorough comparison of WSL 1 and WSL 2 is available on the Microsoft website.

Linux Foundation offers a free training course if you are new to Linux or need a refresher. LinkedInLearning also offers several Linux tutorials.

  • Linux Kernal The Linux Kernel Organization is managed by The Linux Foundation, which provides full technical, financial and staffing support for running and maintaining the kernel.org infrastructure.
  • Linux Foundation The Linux Foundation provides a neutral, trusted hub for developers and organizations to code, manage, and scale open technology projects and ecosystems
  • Microsoft WSL Website The offical Microsoft WSL website. This site provides the steps to install, configure and troubleshoot WSL.
  • WSL2 Development Environment A tutorial for setting up WSL2 as a development environment.
  • Basic WSL Commands Powershell commands to setup and configure WSL2.
  • Windows Commandline A development blog that provides updates and useful information on WSL.
  • Ubuntu WSL This is the main suport page for Ubuntu on WSL.
  • Ubuntu Tutorials This is a direct link to the Ubuntu-WSL tutorials.
  • Linux Cheatsheets A collection of Linux Cheatsheets, there are plenty of others available but these will get you started.