Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) can install a Linux environment directly on Windows 11. On current supported Windows 11 builds, Microsoft’s wsl --install workflow is normally the simplest starting point.
- Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell with administrator rights.
- Run
wsl --install. - Restart Windows if prompted.
- Complete the Linux distribution’s first-run setup and create its Linux username/password.
- Run
wsl --statusorwsl --versionto inspect the installed WSL environment.
Choose another distribution
Use wsl --list --online to see distributions available through the supported WSL workflow, then specify the distribution when installing if you do not want the default.
Linux and Windows permissions differ
Files inside the Linux filesystem have Linux ownership/permission semantics. Avoid modifying WSL’s internal virtual-disk files directly from unsupported Windows paths.
Virtualization
WSL 2 uses virtualization components. If installation fails, check Windows features, firmware virtualization support, organization policy, and Microsoft’s current WSL requirements.
Update WSL
Modern WSL can receive updates independently of major Windows releases. Use Microsoft’s supported WSL update mechanism rather than downloading replacement kernels or packages from random sites.
Windows and Linux file access
WSL exposes convenient ways to work across Windows and Linux filesystems, but development tools often perform best when project files live in the filesystem native to the environment running the tool. Follow Microsoft’s current performance guidance for your workload.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
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