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You can run Linux commands alongside your Windows desktop with Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), a Linux virtual machine, an SSH connection to a remote Linux computer, or Linux containers. For most people who want Bash and everyday Linux tools on their own PC, WSL is the simplest place to start.
“Without rebooting” describes using Linux and Windows side by side after setup; it does not guarantee a restart-free installation. Microsoft’s documented WSL setup may ask you to restart, and virtualization features used by WSL 2 or a VM may also require one. The current WSL quick start supports Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later and Windows 11. Microsoft’s WSL installation guide has the current requirements.
Which method should you choose?
| What you want | Best fit | Where Linux runs |
|---|---|---|
| Bash and Linux command-line tools alongside Windows apps | WSL | On your Windows PC, in an integrated Linux environment |
| A more separately managed Linux operating system | Virtual machine | As a guest operating system on your Windows PC |
| A shell on a computer you already have access to | SSH | On a remote Linux host |
| An isolated app or repeatable development environment | Linux containers | In a container engine, commonly configured with WSL 2 on Windows |
These options differ mainly in integration and separation: WSL mixes Linux and Windows workflows, a VM gives Linux its own guest environment, SSH connects to another machine, and containers package an app or development setup. Windows Terminal can host terminal profiles, but it is not itself a Linux distribution. Microsoft’s WSL development setup guide covers terminal setup and SSH profiles.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →1. Install WSL for a local Linux shell
WSL provides a GNU/Linux environment on Windows, including tools such as Bash and distributions such as Ubuntu. Microsoft’s quick-start command enables WSL and Virtual Machine Platform, installs the Linux kernel, sets WSL 2 as the default, and installs Ubuntu. Open an elevated PowerShell or Command Prompt, then run:
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wsl --install- Open PowerShell or Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Run
wsl --installand follow any prompts. - Restart if Windows requests it, then launch the installed Linux distribution and complete its first-run setup.
If WSL is already installed and wsl --install displays help rather than starting installation, list available distributions and install one by name:
wsl --list --online
wsl --install -d <DistributionName>For example, use a distribution name shown by the first command in place of <DistributionName>. See Microsoft’s basic WSL commands for distribution-management commands.
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Work across Windows and Linux
WSL is designed to interoperate with Windows. From a Windows shell, you can invoke Linux commands with wsl.exe; from Linux, you can launch Windows programs such as explorer.exe. Files can be accessed across the two environments, and network connections can be forwarded. Microsoft documents these capabilities in its WSL interoperability guide.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFor development, keep active project files in the Linux filesystem when following the WSL workflow documented by Microsoft and Docker. The Microsoft environment guide and Docker’s WSL development guide describe this setup.
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2. Run Linux in a virtual machine
A virtual machine (VM) runs Linux as a guest operating system in a virtual computer on Windows. It is a good fit when you want Linux managed more separately than WSL, such as a distinct guest OS with its own allocated resources. You will need to install and maintain the guest system and configure the resources assigned to it. Microsoft lists VMs as one way to install Linux and describes Hyper-V as a Windows hypervisor in its Linux installation guide.
Virtualization also matters for WSL 2. WSL 2 and VM workflows depend on virtualization support, and enabling Windows virtualization features can require a restart. If a WSL 2 virtual machine will not start, Microsoft recommends checking that the Virtual Machine Platform feature is enabled and that virtualization is enabled in firmware. See the manual WSL installation steps and WSL troubleshooting guide.
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- 15.6” FHD IPS DISPLAY: Features a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display with narrow bezels, offering wider viewing angles and clearer image details compared to standard panels. The improved screen-to-body ratio enhances visual experience for study, reading, document work, and video playback, making it suitable for both productivity and entertainment use.
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- CONNECTIVITY & PORTS: Includes 1× TF card slot, 2× USB 3.2 Gen1 ports, and 2× full-featured Type-C ports (USB 3.2 Gen1). The Type-C ports support data transfer, charging, and video output, enabling flexible connection with external devices such as monitors, storage, and peripherals for daily work and study use.
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3. Connect to a Linux machine with SSH
SSH gives you a terminal session on a Linux computer elsewhere rather than installing a Linux distribution on your PC. Use it for a school or work server, a Linux computer at home, or another development host when you have network access and authorization. Windows Terminal can be configured with SSH profiles; the Linux commands you run execute on the remote host. Microsoft includes SSH profile setup in its development environment guide.
- You need a reachable Linux host and a network route to it.
- You need permission to connect and valid credentials, such as an account and password or an authorized key.
- If the host is unavailable or your account is not authorized, opening a terminal on Windows alone will not provide a Linux shell.
4. Use Linux containers for apps and development
Containers are useful when you need to run a Linux-based application or create a defined development environment, not when you simply want a general-purpose Linux desktop. On Windows, Docker Desktop can use a WSL 2 backend, make Docker commands available from Windows terminals, and enable integration with a Linux distribution. Its WSL workflow can also connect a Windows IDE to a server running in that distribution. See Docker’s WSL 2 backend documentation and WSL development workflow.
This option adds container tooling and requires a suitable WSL 2 setup. If your goal is learning Bash or using ordinary Linux command-line utilities, start with WSL rather than installing container tools just to get a shell.
What “without rebooting” means in practice
After setup, these approaches let you use Windows and Linux without rebooting between operating systems. Initial setup is different: WSL’s quick start may require a restart, and enabling virtualization features can require one as well. Windows Terminal is simply a terminal host; choose WSL, a VM, SSH, or containers according to where you want Linux to run and how separate you want it to be.
Quick Recap
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