Running Linux on Windows 11 is kinda weird, but it’s one of those setups that just works once you get it right. Thanks to Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), you can sideline your virtual machines and partitions — Linux runs natively enough within Windows, which is pretty sweet. First thing, you gotta turn on WSL in Windows Features. Easy enough, but a bit tricky if you’re not familiar with the menus.
To do that, search for Turn Windows features on or off. Usually, it’s under Settings > Apps > Optional Features or just type the phrase directly into the start menu search. Find Windows Subsystem for Linux and tick it. But here’s the important part: sometimes, “OK” doesn’t do much until you restart. So, finish with a reboot — don’t skip that step, or it won’t activate correctly.
Once WSL is enabled, the next step is installing a Linux distro. Head to the Microsoft Store — your gateway to Ubuntu, Debian, Kali, whatever. Click “Get” or “Install,” and it’s set. Most distros are pretty straightforward from here, but, man, on some setups, the download or install can hang or throw errors. Just be patient or reboot if nothing happens after a while. After installation, open the distro from the start menu, and it’ll prompt for setup—pick a username and password. Remember, this is your Linux user, so don’t make it just “password123” unless you want trouble.
Why bother updating? Well, running sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade in the terminal helps grab the latest tweaks and security patches. Sometimes, this step is neglected, but trust, it saves headaches down the line. Expect some initial lag if your internet is slow, but after that, it’s smooth sailing. If the update command fails, try running sudo apt update --fix-missing. On one machine, it needed a reboot afterward, on another, it just kept chugging happily.
Now, once you have your Linux environment set, start trying out commands. You can add your files from Windows under /mnt/c/. Editing files is painless; just navigate there in your terminal or any Linux editor. If you want to see your Windows desktop icons, don’t forget that WSLg feature on Windows 11 can also run graphical apps, which is kind of nuts—just need to make sure your Windows is fully updated.
Pro tip: Use Windows Terminal. It’s a game changer because you can run Command Prompt, PowerShell, and WSL shells all in one window, tabbed out. Also, switching between Windows and Linux commands feels pretty natural once you get the hang of it. Sometimes, I’ve noticed that after a Windows update, WSL needs a quick reboot or reset, but that’s just Windows being Windows.
If that didn’t help, here’s what might: check if you’re running WSL 2. It’s a lot faster and supports full Linux kernels. You can set this by opening PowerShell Admin and running wsl --set-default-version 2. Also, verify your distro is actually using WSL 2 with wsl -l -v. If it’s still using WSL 1, upgrade with wsl --set-version . Why? Because WSL 2 handles Docker and other heavy workloads much better.
Another one to try if things seem sluggish: ensure virtualization is enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings. Sometimes, it’s disabled by default, and that affects WSL 2 performance. Reboot into BIOS, find the Virtualization setting, and turn it on. Not sure why, but Windows just loves to make this part kinda hidden and complex.
If you want to remove a distro, just uninstall it from the Microsoft Store like any app. Or, open PowerShell and run wsl --unregister . Easy peasy. Just remember, no backups, no mercy—it’ll wipe everything related.
Summary
- Enable WSL via Windows Features
- Install your fave Linux distro from Microsoft Store
- Update Linux:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade - Set up your Linux user and get comfortable
- Start slinging Linux commands and files around
Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours for someone. Because, of course, Windows has to make it way more complicated than it needs to be, but at least it’s doable. Once you get all these basics sorted, it’s smooth sailing—just don’t forget to keep everything updated, and maybe grab some plugins or extensions later for even more power. Fingers crossed this helps. Good luck messing around with Linux on Windows 11!