How to Fire Up The New Windows Subsystem For Linux In Windows 11 – Guide
Microsoft announced Windows 11 on June 24th. The software giant later released the operating system to members of the Windows Insider program, and it can currently be tested by those subscribed to the Dev and Beta channels. While many liked the new UI changes, some were still skeptical about various inconsistencies that continue to plague Windows in general. ..
Windows 11 has a new feature called Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). This feature can now handle graphics and audio natively. In this article, we take a look at what’s new in WSL in Windows 11 and how to start using that. ..
What is the Windows subsystem for Linux
Most developers switch between the familiar Windows interface and the ease of command-line-based development tool chains in Linux. Furthermore, those dealing with large volumes of data will find a good number of open source tools originally developed for Linux. The Windows Subsystem for Linux, or WSL for short, allows developers to continue using Windows as their primary operating system, while also giving access to native Linux binaries.
Windows users can directly invoke the Linux shell like any other program and run native Linux binaries.
Starting with Windows 10 1903, Microsoft introduced a new version of WSL called WSL 2, which offers tighter integration with the Windows file system, fast boot times, faster disk reads, and a fully functional Linux kernel. Now with Windows 11, Microsoft is adding graphical user interface and real-time audio support.
Installing WSL on Windows 11
To install the Windows subsystem for Linux, you will need to meet some prerequisites. Since WSL 2 uses a real virtual machine, its CPU needs to support virtualization. Although this shouldn’t be an issue with most modern Intel and AMD CPUs that power desktops and laptops, this feature is usually disabled in the computer’s BIOS / UEFI. To enable virtualization, you will need to enable it in the computer’s BIOS / UEFI.
To boot into your PC’s BIOS or UEFI interface, usually this involves pressing the DEL or F2 key during boot; consult your computer user guide for more information. Once inside the BIOS, look for Intel Virtualization Technology or AMD Secure Virtual Machine (also referred to as SVM) depending on your CPU and enable it. Save your changes and restart your PC. ..
Upgrading from WSL 1 to WSL 2
Windows 10 and Windows 11 default to using the new Windows Sound Layer 2 (WSL 2) audio and system enhancements file, which requires a mandatory upgrade to WSL 2. If you are upgrading from a previous version of Windows with WSL 1, you may need to upgrade to WSL 2 in order to use the new GUI, audio and system enhancements file.
Follow the steps mentioned below to perform an in-place upgrade from WSL 1 to WSL 2:
netstat -a | grep tcp 2. Type the following at an elevated command prompt, Windows Terminal, or PowerShell. netstat -a | grep udp
Linux Mint 18.1 3. Describe the features of the distro. Linux Mint 18.1 is a Debian-based distro that offers a variety of features, including a desktop environment called Cinnamon, support for multiple languages, and a wide range of applications and tools.
This command lists the installed Linux distros, their current state and the WSL version they are using. Use the name listed here in the previous command to convert a WSL 1 instance to WSL 2.
Enabling WSL on Windows 11
If you are upgrading from an earlier version of Windows, you will need to uninstall WSL 1 before installing WSL 2. If you are using a virtual machine, make sure the virtual machine is set to use the same processor as your host computer. ..
To enable WSL, click on the button.
In the Windows subsystem for Linux, enable Windows Hypervisor Platform and Virtual Machine Platform.
Restart your computer. ..
The best part about Windows 10 S is that most at the kernel level features are provided directly by Windows Update. Your PC may automatically offer the Windows 10 S kernel update. Otherwise, go to the Settings application, click Windows Update and click Check for updates to download the latest kernel that enables WSLg (short for WSL GUI) functionality. ..
To get the best performance from your graphics card, you need to install a Linux distro on your Windows 11 machine. Depending on your primary GPU adapter, you can use beta drivers or the latest public versions. ..
Installing a Linux distribution on WSL 2 on Windows 11
There are a number of Linux distributions available for Windows 11, including Ubuntu, Kali Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, openSUSE Leap, Fedora Remix for WSL and Debian.
Microsoft Store users can easily download and install Ubuntu distros, but there are currently no options for sideloading or creating your own distributions. With WSL 2, you can create and sideload Ubuntu distros by getting the corresponding .tar file. For this article, we’ll be using Ubuntu as it’s very popular and there are great resources available online if you get stuck on a particular command or operation.
Some organizations or domain-joined PCs may have limited access to the Microsoft Store. In such cases, you can download installation packages directly from Microsoft. Follow the steps below to install the distro:
Open a command prompt and type “msiexec” to start the Microsoft EXE installer.
After the installer finishes, type “chkconfig –add distro” to add the distro to your chkconfig list.
Type “msiexec” again to finish installation and start the distro’s services.
Double click the installer to start the installation process.
Use the PowerShell command below the installer folder to start the installation process:
After the installation process is complete, you will be able to use the following command to verify that your new software was installed correctly:
To uninstall your software, use the following PowerShell command:
After uninstallation is complete, you can use the following command to list all of your installed software:
To use a distro, you first need to install it.
To install Ubuntu, just click on the icon. ..
After a few seconds, you will be asked to create a user account and password. If for some reason the installer does not ask for a user account or password, it will login directly as root.
- Log in to your computer as the root user.
- Type the following command to create a new user account: useradd -m -g root -d /home/username
- Type the following command to assign a root password: passwd -a
passwd
- To view your current root password, use the command:
passwd ..
- Type the new root password and press enter.
- You will now be able to log in as your regular user account and start using the system as you please.
Ubuntu will then ask you to enter your password and other personal information. This is optional. ..
This creates your /home directory and displays your username with a $ sign at the bash shell prompt.
The Ubuntu WSL 2 instance is now available for use. ..
The Trump administration is considering a new rule that would allow businesses to refuse service to people based on their religious beliefs. The rule would be designed to protect religious freedom, and it is being considered by the Trump administration as part of a broader effort to roll back regulations that have been harmful to businesses. The rule would not apply to public places like restaurants or stores, but it could be used in cases where someone feels they are being discriminated against because of their religion. This proposed rule is significant because it would give businesses the ability to decide for themselves whether or not they want to serve people based on their religious beliefs. This could mean that some people will be refused service, but others will be able to enjoy the same level of service without fear of discrimination.
Final note
Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a new feature in Windows 11 that allows you to run Linux on your Windows computer. This guide will show you how to fire up WSL on your computer, and then use it to install some basic Linux commands. ..
