How to Install WSL on Windows 11: Your Easy As Guide

Chucking Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) on Windows 11 is pretty much deadset essential if you wanna run Linux commands smoothly without faffing about with virtual machines or dual-booting. Honestly, if your system already supports virtualization and you’re over opening VMs or messing with tricky settings, WSL can save you heaps of bother. It’s like having both Linux and Windows playing nicely side by side with just a quick setup. The only snag is that sometimes getting everything to play nice can be a bit of a head-scratcher—especially if your Windows isn’t up to date or virtualization isn’t turned on. But once it’s all sorted, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. Anyway, here’s a step-by-step to get WSL running on your Windows 11 PC, with a few extra tips because, of course, Windows likes to keep us on our toes.

How to Install WSL on Windows 11 — The Real Deal

This guide should help you get Linux running alongside Windows without pulling your hair out. Once you get how it all clicks together, it’s pretty smooth sailing, but don’t be surprised if you hit some weird bumps here and there. The main thing is making sure your system’s ready—check if virtualization’s enabled, do updates, or tweak a few settings if needed.

Open PowerShell as Administrator — Because You Need Root Access

First off, open PowerShell with admin rights. Click Start, type “PowerShell,” then right-click and choose Run as administrator. You’ll need admin permissions to install WSL and change some system settings.
Optional: Check if virtualization’s enabled by opening Task Manager (press Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to the Performance tab, and look for Virtualization. If it says disabled, you might need to turn it on in your BIOS. Because, naturally, Windows makes it a bit of a drama sometimes.

Install WSL With a Single Command — It’s Easier Than It Sounds

In PowerShell, type wsl --install and hit Enter. This should kick off the whole process, grabbing WSL2 and the default Linux distro (usually Ubuntu).
Heads up: On some setups, this command might throw a wobbly. You might need to manually enable the “Windows Subsystem for Linux” feature. To do that, type dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart.
If that still doesn’t do the trick, try running dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart as well, since WSL2 relies on that too.

After that, restart your PC (Windows loves to ignore your commands until you do). It’s crucial to reboot so all the changes stick, especially if you turned features on manually.

Pick Your Linux Distro — There’s More Than Just Ubuntu

Head to the Microsoft Store, search for Linux or your favourite distro like Debian, Fedora, OpenSUSE, etc.
Type wsl --list --online in PowerShell if you wanna see what’s available.
Click *Get* or *Install* on your chosen distro and wait for it to download. Sometimes, the distro might even pop up in your start menu right after.

Reboot & Set Up Your Linux Environment — Because Restarting Helps

Once your distro’s installed, give your PC a quick restart if you haven’t yet, so everything registers properly.
Open the Linux app from the Start menu. The first run will usually ask you to set a username and password. It’s basically creating your Linux user account. It can be a bit pushy about it every time, but just roll with it.
Now, you’re ready to run Linux commands — like apt update and apt upgrade if you’re on Debian-based distros, or whatever works for yours.

Extra Tips & Tricks to Keep in Mind

Check Virtualization in BIOS: If WSL stalls or won’t turn on, double-check if your BIOS has virtualization enabled. Sometimes it’s off by default. Reboot, jump into BIOS settings, find the virtualization option (Intel VT-x or AMD-V), turn it on, then save and restart.
Update Windows: Make sure your Windows 11 is fully up to date—older builds can cause issues or missing features. Head to Settings > Windows Update and install any pending updates.
Enable CPU Virtualisation features: On some laptops, virtualization might be locked at a firmware level. Check your manufacturer’s guide if things aren’t working as they should.
Choose Your Distro Smartly: If you’re just testing the waters, try out a few different distros to see which one suits you best. Ubuntu’s dead easy, but other options might have features you want.
For GUI Apps: WSL 2 now supports GUI apps natively, but you might need to set up an X server (like VcXsrv) if it doesn’t run straight out of the box. A bit fiddly, but it works once sorted.

FAQs — Because You Might Still Be Wondering

What is WSL?

It’s basically a compatibility layer that lets Windows run Linux binaries natively without faffing about with VMs or dual boots. Pretty wild when you think about it.

Is WSL free?

You bet. It’s built into Windows 11, so no extra dollar. And you can try out different distros without ripping through any licenses or buying anything extra.

Can I run Linux GUI apps?

Yeah, WSL 2 supports GUI apps now, but you might need to set up an X server if your distro doesn’t do it out of the box. Not quite native Linux, but close enough.

Should I disable antivirus?

Nah, generally not. Just keep in mind some security software might throw a spanner in the works, especially with networking or virtualization. Turning it off temporarily can help troubleshoot.

Is dual-boot better?

Depends what you’re after. Dual-boot gives you more raw power and control but is a bigger hassle to set up and switch between. WSL’s more flexible for everyday use if you don’t mind a few quirks.

Quick Wrap

Make sure virtualization’s enabled in BIOS if it’s needed.
Update Windows to the latest version.
Run wsl --install in PowerShell.
Pick your preferred Linux distro from the Store or CLI.
Reboot and set up your user. Done and dusted.

Cheers & Wrap-up

Getting WSL up and running on Windows 11 isn’t too tricky once you tick the right boxes. Sure, sometimes it takes a couple of goes—like flicking a light switch—you find what works. Once it’s sorted, you get a pretty ripper combo of Linux and Windows in one box. Perfect if you’re coding, scripting, or just keen to see Linux in action without all the faffing of dual-booting.

Hopefully, this helps you dodge the usual hassles and get your WSL set up a lot quicker. Good luck, and happy Linux’ing!