Ubuntu on WSL
Install a complete Ubuntu terminal environment in minutes on Windows 10 with Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).
Access the Linux terminal on Windows, develop cross-platform applications, and manage IT infrastructure without leaving Windows.
Download from the Microsoft StoreDeploying WSL at your company?
We help companies achieve a seamless integration with their WSL deployments. Contact us to learn more about how we support enterprises on the Windows Subsystem for Linux.
Access the Linux terminal on Windows
In seconds, be able to access the Linux terminal and run Linux applications and workflows on your Windows machine.
Develop cross-platform
Build and debug Linux applications with Windows tools like Visual Studio Code, Visual Studio, and JetBrains IDEs before deploying to the cloud.
Discover how to easily access "Kubernetes on Windows with WSL2" in our webinar
Manage IT infrastructure
From the same workstation, manage mixed Linux and Windows infrastructure both on-prem and across public clouds.
What you never thought was possible on Windows
-
Editors
Run your choice of Linux text editors, including vim, emacs, and nano
-
Servers
Spin up Node.js, install your dependencies with npm, and start testing your web app
-
Development
Install compilers and libraries from the Ubuntu repository, maintained by Canonical
-
Shells
Use your choice of Linux shells, such as bash, zsh and fish
-
Containers
Work with LXD and Docker containers on Windows
-
Scripting
Automate Linux and Windows tasks with advanced bash scripting
-
Network hardening
Leverage Linux security tools to test and harden your network
-
Data
Crunch big numbers with tools for R and Python
-
Kubernetes
Build, test, and deploy Kubernetes clusters on Windows
Why WSL
Easy to Use
Ubuntu is intuitive, user-friendly, and offers the flexibility for customizations when operating within WSL.
Security
Achieve the same first-class, out-of-the-box, compliant security that is synonymous with Ubuntu. With long-term support releases, you'll have five years of security patches and updates.
Enterprise support
Ubuntu is certified on WSL through close collaboration with Microsoft. Enterprise support is provided for Ubuntu from Azure to Windows workstations creating a seamless operating environment.
Install Ubuntu on Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)
-
Enable WSL on Windows 10
Open PowerShell as Administrator:
Type the following command to enable WSL 1:
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart
Type the following command to enable WSL 2:
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart
Restart your computer.
Restart-Computer
After restarting, download and install the WSL 2 Linux kernel from Microsoft for your device architecture:
Finally, it is recommended to set WSL 2 as the default WSL environment.
Open PowerShell as Administrator as above and type the following command:
wsl.exe --set-default-version 2
-
Install Ubuntu
-
Run Ubuntu
-
Set up Ubuntu
Select a username and password for your administrative user.
Once complete, it is recommended you download and try the new Windows Terminal for the best Ubuntu on WSL experience.
Getting Started with WSL
WSL 1 vs WSL 2
WSL 1
- Powered by a Linux binary translation layer.
- Supported on all versions of Windows 10 since Fall Creators Update.
- Supported on all editions of Windows 10, including Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Server.
WSL 2
- Powered by a Linux kernel running on Hyper-V technology.
- Features significant speed and networking improvements.
- Available to everyone, on all editions of Windows 10, as of the May 2020 update from Microsoft.