Getting Linux running on Windows 11 isn’t as complicated as it sounds — especially with WSL, or Windows Subsystem for Linux. If you’ve ever felt like you’re missing out or just want a quick way to run Linux apps without mucking around with dual-boot setups or fancy virtual machines, this method is pretty handy. Once it’s set up, you’ll get a pretty smooth experience, running Linux commands and apps inside Windows — almost like they’re part of it. The trick is to follow a few straightforward steps and watch out for common hiccups, like forgetting to turn on certain features or not rebooting after installations. It might seem a bit odd at first, but with a bit of patience, you’ll be running Linux in a terminal window with no worries.
How to Install Linux on Windows 11
Running Linux on Windows 11 via WSL might sound a bit tricky, but once you have a go, it’s pretty straightforward. It’s fantastic if you need to jump between Windows and Linux or use specific Linux tools. Here’s how to do it step-by-step, with a few tips from my experience.
Method 1: Use the wsl –install command
This is the easiest way, especially if you’re running a recent version of Windows 11 that supports it. Just open PowerShell as an admin (right-click the Start menu, select Windows PowerShell (Admin)) and chuck in:
wsl --installThis command sorts out a lot automatically. It turns on the Windows Subsystem for Linux, the virtual machine platform, and even downloads and installs Ubuntu by default. One time it worked straight away, other times it took a bit of fiddling or a quick restart — typical Windows stuff. If it doesn’t work the first time, don’t stress — restart your PC, try again, or check you’ve got the latest updates.
Why it helps:
This method does all the heavy lifting in one go, so it’s great if you’re not too familiar with toggling Windows features. When it’s done, you’ll see Ubuntu or another Linux distro ready to go.
Expected result:
You’ll end up with a Linux shell accessible right from the command line. From there, you can install software, edit files, or even run Linux GUI apps if you enable WSLg (Windows Subsystem for Linux GUI). Some folks find they need to reboot after setup to get everything working smoothly, so it’s a good idea to do that.
Method 2: Enable features and install distro manually
If the auto wizard doesn’t do the trick, you can turn on the features yourself. Head to Settings > Apps > Optional Features > More Windows Features (or just search for Turn Windows features on or off).
- Check Virtual Machine Platform
- Check Windows Subsystem for Linux
Click OK, then restart your PC. After that, open PowerShell as Admin again and run:
dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestartReboot your PC once more. When it’s back up, head to the Microsoft Store and grab the Linux distro you want — like Debian, Kali Linux, or Fedora. Search for the name, hit install, and let it do its thing. Once installed, launch it from the Start menu and go through the quick setup to create your user and password.
Why it helps:
This way’s good if you’re after a specific distro or want to troubleshoot any issues with the auto-install. Plus, it’s a good chance to check your Windows features are all turned on properly.
Expected result:
You’ll have a proper Linux environment inside Windows with full command-line access, ready for testing, development, or just having a nudge around. Sometimes, after this manual setup, you might need to reboot again for everything to show up properly.
Extra tips:
You can check which WSL versions you’ve got by running wsl --list --verbose. That’s handy if you’re troubleshooting or want to see if your distros are up to date (WSL2 is recommended for best features). To upgrade your current distro, check out the official Microsoft’s guide to installing WSL.
Tips for a smoother ride
- Make sure Windows is up to date — some features need the latest version.
- Try different Linux distros if Ubuntu’s not your thing; you can swap or add more easily.
- Use
wsl --set-default-version 2to make sure you’re on WSL2 — it’s quicker and better. - Some GUI apps run nicely with WSLg now, but you might need to enable a few experimental features in Windows Insider Preview builds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between WSL 1 and WSL 2?
WSL 2 is a proper Linux kernel running in a tiny virtual machine, making stuff faster and more compatible. WSL 1 was more like a translation layer, which was smoother in some ways, but WSL 2’s the way to go now.
Can I run graphical Linux apps on Windows 11?
Yep, especially if you’ve set up WSLg, which lets you run GUI apps natively inside Windows.
Can I run multiple Linux distros?
Absolutely. Just grab a few different distros from the Microsoft Store, and you can switch between them any time using wsl --list --verbose.
Do I need special hardware for this?
Nah, most modest setups can handle WSL just fine since it doesn’t need much juice compared to running a full virtual machine.
Summary
- Run
wsl --installin PowerShell (Admin). - Reboot the PC (Windows loves to delay things).
- Head to the Microsoft Store and pick your Linux distro.
- Install it, then set up your user details.
- Start running Linux commands straight from Windows!
Wrap-up
This whole WSL thing can be a bit temperamental at times — sometimes a reboot or a quick tweak does the trick — but overall, it’s pretty reliable. Once you’ve got Linux running inside Windows, a whole new world opens up for dev work, scripting, or just nerding out. Keep in mind, not everything’s perfect — some GUI features might need a fiddle — but compared to setting up a VM from scratch, it’s a walk in the park.
Hopefully, this saves someone a bit of hassle. Because honestly, it’s only a matter of time before everyone’s running Linux on Windows anyway.