How to Install Ubuntu on WSL: Linux Inside Windows

WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) is a Microsoft feature that allows you to run a Linux distribution directly in Windows — without a virtual machine and without dual-boot. For developers who need Linux tools (bash, apt, Docker) alongside Windows applications, WSL is an ideal solution. In this article, we will look at how to install Ubuntu on WSL step by step.

What is WSL?

WSL is a compatibility layer in Windows 10 and 11 that allows running Linux programs directly in Windows. There are two versions:

Version	Description	Use
WSL 1	Translates Linux system calls into Windows calls	Legacy, not recommended
WSL 2	Real Linux kernel in a lightweight virtual machine	Recommended, faster, full compatibility

WSL 2 runs a real Linux kernel, which means full compatibility with Linux applications, including Docker.

Requirements

Before starting, check whether your computer meets the requirements:

Windows 10 version 2004 or newer (build 19041+) or Windows 11
Virtualization enabled in BIOS/UEFI: WSL 2 requires VT-x (Intel) or AMD-V (AMD)
At least 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended)

You can check your Windows version with the winver command (Win + R → winver).

Installing WSL

The easiest way to install is via the command line. Open PowerShell as administrator (right-click → Run as administrator) and run:

# Install WSL with the default Ubuntu distribution
wsl --install

This command does the following:

Enables WSL components and the virtual machine platform
Downloads and installs the latest Linux kernel
Sets WSL 2 as the default version
Installs Ubuntu as the default distribution

After running the command, restart your computer. After restart, Ubuntu will open automatically and ask you to set up a username and password.

Installing Another Distribution

If you want to install a different distribution, not just Ubuntu, first list the available ones:

# List available distributions
wsl --list --online

# Install a selected distribution (example: Debian)
wsl --install -d Debian

# Install a specific version of Ubuntu
wsl --install -d Ubuntu-24.04

First Launch and Setup

After restart, open Ubuntu from the Start menu (search for "Ubuntu"). The first launch takes longer because the installation is still in progress. Ubuntu will ask you:

Username: Choose a name without spaces. You will use this name to log into Ubuntu and for sudo commands
Password: Enter the password twice. The password is not displayed while typing — this is normal

After successful setup, you are in the Ubuntu terminal! Ready to work.

Basic WSL Commands

Here is an overview of the most important commands for working with WSL:

Command	Description	Example
wsl --status	Shows the WSL status	wsl --status
wsl --list --verbose	Lists all installed distributions and their WSL version	wsl -l -v
wsl --set-default-version 2	Sets WSL 2 as the default	wsl --set-default-version 2
wsl --shutdown	Stops all WSL distributions	wsl --shutdown
wsl --update	Updates the WSL Linux kernel	wsl --update
wsl --unregister <distro>	Removes a distribution and all its data (WARNING: deletes everything!)	wsl --unregister Ubuntu

Accessing Files Between Systems

One of the best features of WSL is that you can access files in both systems:

Access	Path	Note
From Linux to Windows	/mnt/c	cd /mnt/c/Users/name/Documents
From Windows to Linux	\\wsl$\Ubuntu	Type it in the Explorer address bar

Windows Terminal

For a more pleasant experience with WSL, I recommend installing Windows Terminal from the Microsoft Store. It offers:

Tabs — you can have multiple terminals open at the same time
Customizable themes and profile colors
Split view — two terminals at once
A separate profile for each WSL distribution

Practical Tips

Keep projects in the Linux file system: For faster work with git, npm, or other tools, keep your project code in the Linux file system (home folder ~), not on /mnt/c. Cross-system access is noticeably slower
VS Code + WSL: Install the WSL extension for VS Code — you can open a project in the Linux file system directly from VS Code
GUI applications: WSL 2 also supports Linux graphical applications (WSLg) — without installing an additional X server
No Samba needed: Windows Explorer can access Linux files via the \\wsl$\Ubuntu path

How to Turn Off WSL

WSL consumes RAM, so it is wise to shut it down when you don't need it:

# Stop all distributions and WSL
wsl --shutdown

# Check whether it is running
wsl --list --verbose

IMPORTANT: The command wsl --unregister Ubuntu completely deletes the distribution along with all files. Make a backup before using it!

Conclusion

WSL is an excellent solution for developers who need both Windows and Linux. Installation is simple, it runs fast, and it offers full compatibility with Linux tools. Whether you develop web applications, scripts, or Docker containers — Ubuntu on WSL gives you Linux power within Windows.