Enable Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

• If you intend to run a Linux terminal on Windows 10, you must first turn on the ‘Windows Subsystem for Linux’ feature. Then you can download and install your choice of Linux distribution.

Check Your Windows Version

• WSL is only supported on both Windows 10 64-bit (from version 1607) and Windows Server 2019.

How to Enable WSL:

• There are two different types of WSL versions: WSL 1 and WSL 2. While they both provide smooth and continuous integration of Linux within Windows, WSL 2 is the latest and fastest version and supports full Linux kernel and system call compatibility. WSL 1 runs a translation layer which bridges the gap between Linux kernal and Windows.
  • To run WSL 2, you must be running Windows 10 x64 bit systems: Version 1903 or higher, with Build 18362 or higher.
  • To run WSL 1, you will need Windows 10 x64 bit systems: Version 1709 or higher, with Build 16215 or higher.

Enable via PowerShell (the fun / fastest way):

1. Open PowerShell as Admin

2. Run the following command:

   dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart
   

3. Boom done

Enable via Windows Features (the boring way):

1. Search for “Windows features” in the search bar next to the Windows icon

2. Select “windows features turn on or off”

3. Scroll down to ‘Windows Subsystem for Linux’, tick the box in front of it, and click ‘OK’

   

4. Reboot