How To Set Up Linux on Windows 11: A Beginner’s Step-by-Step Guide

Installing Linux on Windows 11 isn’t as wild as it sounds — especially thanks to WSL, or Windows Subsystem for Linux. For those who’ve ever felt like they’re missing out or just want a quick way to get Linux apps running without dual-booting or fancy virtual machines, this approach is pretty slick. Once set up, you get a pretty seamless experience, running Linux commands and applications inside Windows, almost like they’re native. The key here is understanding a few simple steps, and being aware of some common pitfalls, like not enabling the right features or forgetting to restart after installing things. It’s kind of weird, but with patience, you’ll be able to run Linux in a terminal window without much hassle.

How to Install Linux on Windows 11

Running Linux on Windows 11 via WSL is one of those things that sounds complicated but really isn’t once you get the hang of it. It’s especially handy if you need to switch back and forth or use Linux-specific tools. Here’s how to get it done step-by-step, with a few tips gathered from experience.

Method 1: Use the wsl –install command

This is the easiest way, especially if you’re on a recent Windows 11 build that fully supports it. Basically, you open PowerShell as an admin (right-click on the Start menu, choose Windows PowerShell (Admin)) and enter:

wsl --install

This command does a lot behind the scenes. It enables the Windows Subsystem for Linux, the virtual machine platform, and it even automatically downloads and installs Ubuntu as the default distro. On one setup it worked the first time, on another, it kind of failed silently or prompted some restarts — because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary. So if it doesn’t work immediately, no big surprise — just restart, try again, or check if you have the latest Windows updates.

Why it helps:

This method covers the essentials by installing everything needed at once, which makes it easier if you’re not familiar with toggling individual Windows features. Once it finishes, you’ll see Ubuntu or another Linux distro ready to run.

Expected result:

You end up with a running Linux shell accessible from the command line. From there, you can start installing software, editing files, or even running Linux GUI apps if you enable WSLg (Windows Subsystem for Linux GUI). Some users report that they need to reboot afterwards for everything to function smoothly, so don’t skip that step.

Method 2: Manually enable features and install distro

If the auto-wizard doesn’t work, you can manually turn on the Windows features. Navigate to Settings > Apps > Optional Features > More Windows Features (or search for Turn Windows features on or off).

• Check Virtual Machine Platform
• Check Windows Subsystem for Linux

Click OK, then reboot. After reboot, open PowerShell as Admin and run:

 dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart

 dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

Then, restart your PC. Once back, download your desired Linux distro manually from the Microsoft Store — like Debian, Kali Linux, or Fedora. Just search for the distro name, hit install, and wait for it to download and install. When it’s done, launch it from the Start menu, and you’ll go through a quick setup process to create a user account and password.

Why it helps:

This approach is more flexible if you want a specific Linux distro or need to troubleshoot issues with the auto-install method. Plus, you get to confirm that your Windows features are correctly enabled firsthand.

Expected result:

You get a legitimate Linux environment inside Windows with full command-line access, ready for development, testing, or just messing around. Sometimes, after this manual setup, the environment doesn’t show up immediately — a reboot usually clears that up.

Additional tips:

In PowerShell, you can also check what versions of WSL are installed by running wsl --list --verbose. That helps you troubleshoot if multiple distros are installed or if your WSL version is outdated (WSL2 is recommended for full features). And to upgrade your existing distro, run: Microsoft’s official WSL install guide.

Tips for a smoother experience

• Update Windows to the latest build — some features depend on that.
• Try different Linux distros if Ubuntu isn’t your vibe; it’s easy to swap or add more.
• Use wsl --set-default-version 2 to ensure you’re using WSL2, which is faster and more compatible.
• Remember, some Linux GUI apps now run just fine with WSLg, but you might need to enable experimental features in Windows Preview builds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between WSL 1 and WSL 2?

Wsl 2 is a full Linux kernel running in a lightweight VM, making it faster and more compatible with Linux apps. WSL 1 was more like a translation layer, so it was smoother in some ways, but WSL 2 is generally better now.

Can I run graphical Linux apps on Windows 11?

Yes, especially if you install Windows 11 with WSLg enabled, which allows running GUI apps natively inside Windows.

Is it possible to run multiple Linux distros?

Absolutely. Just grab multiple packages from the Microsoft Store, and you can switch between them anytime using wsl --list --verbose.

Do I need special hardware for this?

Nope, even pretty modest setups can handle WSL, since it doesn’t need a lot of resources compared to full-blown virtual machines.

Summary

• Run wsl --install in PowerShell (Admin).
• Reboot (because Windows loves to ignore your first try).
• Open the Microsoft Store — grab your fave distro.
• Let it install, then set up your Linux user details.
• Enjoy running Linux commands right from Windows!

Wrap-up

This whole WSL thing can feel a bit flaky at times — sometimes a reboot or a quick check of settings sorts out issues — but generally, it’s pretty reliable. Once you’ve got Linux running inside Windows, it opens a floodgate of possibilities, whether for development, scripting, or just nerding out. Just keep in mind, compatibility isn’t always perfect, and some GUI features might need fiddling, but overall, it’s a lot smoother than trying to set up a VM from scratch.

Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours for someone. Because, honestly, it’s only a matter of time before everyone’s doing Linux on Windows anyway.