Installation of Windows Subsystem for Linux

Introduction:

I'm sure many saw this and wondered what this is. Let me explain.

Pre-requisites:

• Basic Understanding of Linux
• Basic Understanding of Virtual Machine 
• Basic Understanding of OS Installation / Dual Boot

Books & References:

• What is Windows Subsystem for Linux
• Install Linux on Windows with WSL

Demonstration:

1. Direct Installation via  wsl --install:

You can open PowerShell running as Administrator.

Note that this method is only available to Windows 10 version 2004 and higher (Build 19041 and higher) or Windows 11.

2. I will follow the Manual way of installation:

i. Enable Windows Subsystem for Linux:

Run the following command in Powershell with Administrator rights.
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

ii. Enable Virtual Machine Feature:

Run the following command in Powershell with Administrator rights.

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart

You will need your machine to have virtualization capabilities. Restart the machine to complete WSL install correctly.

iii. Download the Linux Kernel Update Package and Install:

You can get the package from Linux Kernel Update Package from here and run the installer.

iv. Set WSL2 as the default version:
Run the following command in Powershell with Administrator rights.
wsl --set-default-version 2

v. Install a Linux Distribution from Microsoft App Source:
Go to Microsoft App Source and install Ubuntu Linux Distro.

vi. Open the Linux Distribution App and complete User Setup:

You will see a CLI version of Ubuntu started asking for Username and Password.

vii. Setup a GUI through LXDE Desktop Environment:
I tried setting up LXDE Desktop Environment. However, it did not work as expected.

Conclusion: