On Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 2004 (Build 19041) or later, the simplest way to install Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is to open PowerShell as an administrator and run wsl --install. Restart if prompted, then launch Ubuntu—the default Linux distribution—and create its Linux username and password. To install a different distribution, choose its exact name from wsl --list --online and use wsl --install -d <DistroName>.
Check whether your Windows version supports the one-command install
Microsoft’s documented wsl --install route requires Windows 10 version 2004 (Build 19041) or later, or Windows 11. To check your Windows version and build, press Win+R, enter winver, and press Enter. If your system is older or has other installation constraints, use Microsoft’s manual WSL installation guide rather than assuming the one-command instructions apply.
Install WSL with PowerShell
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Open the Start menu, search for PowerShell, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.
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Enter this command and press Enter:
wsl --install. -
Restart Windows if prompted to complete setup.
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After the restart, launch Ubuntu from the Start menu if it does not open automatically. On its first launch, Ubuntu initializes its files; wait for that process to finish.
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When prompted, create a Linux username and password. These credentials belong to the Linux distribution and are separate from your Windows account. The password may not appear on screen as you type.
The standard command enables the required Windows components, installs the Linux kernel, sets WSL 2 as the default, and installs Ubuntu. You do not need to repeat those setup steps manually when this command succeeds. Microsoft notes that first-launch initialization may take a minute or two; later launches are typically faster. See Microsoft’s WSL installation guide.
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Install a Linux distribution other than Ubuntu
To see the distribution names currently available through WSL, run this in PowerShell:
wsl --list --online
Install the option you want by substituting its exact listed name:
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wsl --install -d <DistroName>
For example, if the online list shows Debian, use wsl --install -d Debian. The list is the reliable way to check what is currently available; options can change. Ubuntu is installed by default when you run wsl --install without a distribution option. Microsoft documents these commands in its WSL basic commands reference.
Confirm the installation and check the WSL version
In PowerShell, run:
wsl --list --verbose
Or use the shorter form:
wsl -l -v
The output lists installed distributions, whether they are running or stopped, and whether each uses WSL 1 or WSL 2. WSL 2 is the default for the supported one-command installation route. If you want to set the default version for distributions installed in the future, run:
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wsl --set-default-version 2
To update WSL, run:
wsl --update
When to use WSL 1 or change an existing distribution
WSL 1 remains an option where supported, but most new installations on supported systems use WSL 2 by default. If you need to change an existing distribution, first check its exact name with wsl --list --verbose, then run:
wsl --set-version <DistroName> <Version>
Replace <DistroName> with the listed distribution name and <Version> with 1 or 2. For example, wsl --set-version Ubuntu 2 converts Ubuntu to WSL 2.
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Conversion can take time and may fail because WSL 1 and WSL 2 use different architectures. Back up important files—especially in distributions containing large projects—before converting. WSL 2 availability depends on Windows version and build; consult Microsoft’s command guidance and, for older Windows releases, the version and architecture requirements in the manual installation guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If wsl --install does not install a distribution
The command displays help instead
Microsoft says this can happen when WSL is already installed. Check available distributions with wsl --list --online, then install one explicitly using wsl --install -d <DistroName>.
Your Windows build is older or the standard route does not fit
Check the build with winver and follow Microsoft’s manual installation steps for the matching Windows version and architecture. That route covers enabling the WSL and Virtual Machine Platform features, installing the kernel update, setting WSL 2 as the default, and installing a distribution. It also describes direct distribution package downloads for systems without Microsoft Store access. Requirements differ across older Windows 10 releases, including by processor architecture, so use the instructions for your system rather than applying the one-command prerequisites to every case.
What to do after WSL is installed
Once the distribution opens, you can use its Linux shell and tools alongside Windows. Optional development workflows include connecting WSL to Visual Studio Code, using Git or databases, running Linux graphical apps, and using GPU acceleration. These are not required to install WSL. Microsoft’s WSL development environment guide covers those options and examples of interoperability, including running Linux commands from PowerShell and launching Windows .exe tools from a WSL shell.
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