iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
On a supported Windows PC, the quickest way to install WSL 2 is to open an administrator PowerShell or Command Prompt, run wsl --install, restart Windows, and launch the installed Linux distribution. Ubuntu is installed by default. On the distribution’s first launch, you create a Linux username and password.
This guide covers eligibility checks, alternate distributions, default settings, verification commands, the manual route for older Windows builds, cost and equipment considerations, and fixes for the two installation problems Microsoft documents most often.
What WSL 2 installs
Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a Windows feature that lets you install and run a Linux distribution. WSL 2 is the WSL version this procedure targets. Installing the Windows feature alone does not give you a usable Linux environment; you also need at least one distribution, such as Ubuntu or Debian.
The supported one-command installation enables the Windows components WSL 2 needs, installs the WSL 2 kernel, makes WSL 2 the default for new distributions, and installs Ubuntu unless you choose another distribution. Windows must restart before the setup is complete.
#1 Best Overall
- Powerful Turbo Fan:CAGIWIRU Electric Air Duster have reached speed up to 130000RPM,Can efficient remove dust and debris.With LED light and Three Adjustable Speed to meet with different cleaning tasks.
- With Attached USB C Fasting Charging cable.Charing 3 hours,Enjoy up to 240 minutes of use on the lowest setting, For third speed can use for 25mins.with four charging options to meet with your needs.
- Wide Application: attached 5 different nozzles,making it suitable for a variety of scenes, such as car,pet, pc, keyboards, and other electronic devices. It also serves for office and home clean duster.
- Handy Design & Portable:Cordless air duster electric nozzle is Light weight and small size, design and comfortable to hold and space saving, convenient to carry around. You can put it in your room or inside the car without taking up space.
- Economical &Reusable: Built durable materials with a long-lasting battery,our CAGIWIRU air duster it's a sustainable alternative to disposable air cans.
What you need before starting
- A Windows 11 installation, or Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later for the current one-command path.
- An administrator terminal, because Windows features and the kernel component must be enabled.
- Time to restart Windows and complete the distribution’s first launch.
- A choice of Linux distribution if Ubuntu is not the environment you want.
The installation instructions do not require a separate virtualization product, replacement hardware, external drive, or paid utility. WSL 2 is a Windows feature, and the distribution is installed as a separate Linux environment inside that feature.
Check whether your Windows installation is eligible
Use winver to check the version and build
- Press
Windows+Rto open Run. - Type
winverand press Enter. - Record the Windows edition, version, and OS build shown in the dialog.
Microsoft’s current minimum for the wsl --install path is Windows 10 version 2004, build 19041, or later. Windows 11 is also supported. If your Windows 10 build is earlier than 19041, use the manual-installation guidance instead of assuming the one-command route will work.
Checking only the label “Windows 10” is not enough. Two computers both identified as Windows 10 can have different feature support because their versions and builds differ. The winver dialog gives you the values to compare with Microsoft’s current requirements.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Windows Home is supported
WSL 2 works on Windows 10 Home and Windows 11 Home. Home edition is not, by itself, a reason to upgrade Windows or buy a separate virtualization product. WSL 2 depends on two Windows optional features: Windows Subsystem for Linux and Virtual Machine Platform. The supported installation command enables them for you.
Older Windows 10 systems need an architecture-specific check
The manual installation guide has separate Windows version, build, and processor-architecture requirements for x64 and ARM64 systems. Do not apply one universal “old Windows” minimum to both architectures. If winver shows an older release, check the manual guide’s table for your architecture before enabling features or downloading a kernel package. A build that qualifies on one architecture is not automatically the correct minimum on the other.
Install WSL 2 with the supported one-command method
1. Open an elevated terminal
Open Start, search for PowerShell or Command Prompt, right-click the result, and choose Run as administrator. Microsoft’s command-line installation instructions specify an administrator PowerShell; using an elevated Command Prompt is also a practical way to run the same WSL command.
Use the elevated window for the installation itself. A normal, non-administrator shell may be able to run WSL after setup, but it is not the terminal Microsoft specifies for enabling the required Windows components.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2. Run the installation command
Enter this command exactly:
wsl --installWindows enables the WSL and Virtual Machine Platform components, installs the WSL 2 kernel, sets WSL 2 as the default for newly installed distributions, and installs Ubuntu by default. The command may ask you to restart. Save open work and restart when prompted; the restart is part of the installation, not an optional cleanup step.
Do not interpret the command as installing only a command-line launcher. The normal flow performs the Windows feature setup, kernel setup, default-version configuration, and Ubuntu installation as one sequence. You still have to complete Ubuntu’s first launch after Windows comes back up.
Rank #2
- Screen Cleaner is Your Screen’s New Bestfriend! - EVEO is proud to present a screen cleaner that’s perfectly suited for your TV. Meet your new screen cleaner, computer screen cleaner, laptop cleaner, iPad cleaner, Macbook,tv cleaner or any other electronic device. Our screen cleaner spray and wipe along with the included plush microfiber cloth, easily removes dust, fingerprints & other smudges on the screen’s surface. Clean effectively for a streak-free screen
- Gentle on your Screens - Our screen cleaner spray and wipes is compatible to be used even for the most sensitive LCD, LED, CRT, and OLED screens in proper use. Be at ease knowing that this product is compatible with all the major brands: LG, SONY, Samsung, Sharp, iPad, iPhone, Android screens, Kindle, PC monitors - we’ve got you covered! Can be used as LCD screen cleaner, tv cleaner, smart tv screen cleaner, and more
- Premium Super Soft Plush Microfiber Cloth - Included in this efficient screen cleaning kit. This screen cleaner spray and wipe has our signature plush microfiber cloth specially designed to comply with screens and monitors and leave them streak-free. Has been shown to effectively absorbs stubborn stains, zero streaks, and no fiber shedding. Always use this together with our screen cleaner for the best results
- Easy-to-Use Screen Cleaner Kit + microfiber cleaning cloth - The EVEO Screen Cleaning Kit will easily be your new favorite tool when it comes to taking care of the things you love most, quick and easy solution for a streak-free screen. Simply screw on the sprayer gun on the screen cleaner bottle. Spray the cleaning liquid onto the microfiber cloth, then wipe the screen until desired cleanliness & shine is achieved.
- Quality Screen Care Kit Worth Purchasing - Enjoy a convenient Screen Cleaner anytime, anywhere you need it. Your satisfaction is our top priority. We stand behind the quality of our products and that’s why, you shouldn’t be worrying at all. We manufacture the Best Screen Cleaner. and can be used for laptop cleaning kit, laptop screen cleaner, tv screen cleaner for smart tv. MacBook screen cleaner, monitor cleaner or screen cleaner spray for electronic devices with microfiber cleaning cloth
3. Launch the distribution after restarting
After Windows starts again, open the installed distribution from the Start menu (the default entry is Ubuntu), or start WSL from a terminal with wsl. The first launch can take time while the distribution files decompress. Follow the prompts to create a Linux username and password. These credentials belong to the Linux distribution and are separate from your Windows sign-in.
When setup finishes, opening the distribution again takes you to its Linux shell. You can then install Linux packages and configure development tools according to your intended workload; those additions are optional and are not required to install WSL 2 itself. If you install more than one distribution, each one has its own Linux filesystem and user account.
Install a distribution other than Ubuntu
See the live list of available distributions
Distribution names can change, so query Microsoft’s current catalog instead of relying on a permanent list:
wsl --list --onlineThe abbreviated form is:
wsl -l -oThe output gives the exact name that WSL accepts. Copy that name when installing a distribution. Querying the list first also prevents failures caused by using a display name that is not the identifier accepted by your installed WSL version.
Install a named distribution
For example, to install Debian, run:
wsl --install -d DebianReplace Debian with a name returned by wsl --list --online. The same first-launch process applies: allow the files to decompress, then create the Linux user account and password.
If you want a distribution other than Ubuntu from the beginning, you can use the named-install command instead of installing Ubuntu first. If Ubuntu is already installed, installing another distribution adds a separate environment; it does not convert the existing one.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The command reference also documents options such as --web-download and --location. Their availability and behavior can depend on the WSL version installed on the computer, so use wsl --help locally when you need an option beyond the basic install sequence. Do not assume that an option shown in a current reference is present on an older Windows build.
Set defaults and inspect the installation
Make WSL 2 the default for new installations
The one-command flow already sets WSL 2 as the default for new distributions. You can set it explicitly at any time:
wsl --set-default-version 2This setting affects distributions installed in the future. It does not by itself convert an existing distribution; inspect each installed distribution and use the appropriate distribution-management command if you need to change one. In other words, changing the default is a policy for the next installation, not a migration operation.
Rank #3
- 【Large size】：Measuring 800 x 300 mm/ 31. 5×12 inches, which is wider and taller than others. Large mouse pad can perfectly fit your keyboard and mouse of any size, and there is also ample space for peripherals such as phones, tablets, etc.
- 【LED backlight mouse pad】：Blade Hawks RGB mouse pad provides 7 static modes and 7 dynamic modes will give you the options you are looking for. Power-off memory function remembers the last lighting mode you selected. The super glow fiber Chroma will give you a colorful gaming setup that you want.
- 【Anti-slip rubber base】：Made from Natural rubber, this gaming mousepad will firmly grip your desktop, allowing you to enjoy the ultimate precision in the games you are most passionate about. It also comes with a texture that enhances this ability even further.
- 【Smooth and waterproof surface】: Micro-textured cloth surface, for extremely precise mouse control and a smooth movement. When liquid splashes on the gaming mouse pad, it forms water droplets and slides down. Will not delay your work or gameplay.
- 【Plug and play】: This mouse and keyboard pad is powered by USB, plug and play, no driver required. One button control light modes. Press one time to change the lighting mode, press twice to change the brightness, press and hold about 3 seconds turn ON/OFF.
Choose which distribution opens when you run wsl
If more than one distribution is installed, set the default with:
wsl --set-default <Distribution Name>Use the exact distribution name shown by your installed-distribution list. For example, the name may be Ubuntu or Debian, depending on what you installed. This controls which environment starts when you type wsl without naming a distribution; it does not remove or alter the others.
See installed distributions and their WSL versions
Run:
wsl --list --verboseThis displays installed distributions and whether each is using WSL 1 or WSL 2. The version shown here is the value that matters when you are checking that a particular distribution is actually running under WSL 2. Check every distribution separately if you installed more than one.
Check overall WSL status
Run:
wsl --statusUse this to inspect general WSL status, including information relevant to the default configuration. For commands supported by your installed WSL version, run:
wsl --helpHelp output is especially useful on older Windows builds, where the available command options can differ from the current one-command experience. It also lets you confirm the spelling and syntax supported locally before trying an optional switch.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallWhat to do when wsl --install does not behave as expected
The command prints help instead of installing
Microsoft documents this as a known installation scenario. First list the online distributions:
wsl --list --onlineThen install one explicitly, substituting an exact name from that list:
wsl --install -d <DistroName>For example:
wsl --install -d DebianDo not treat the help screen as proof that WSL 2 is impossible on the computer. It can indicate that the available WSL command path requires an explicit distribution or that the system’s WSL tooling differs from the current instructions. If the explicit command also fails, return to winver, check the build and architecture requirements, and use the manual path when appropriate.
The installation remains at 0.0%
If installation hangs at 0.0%, Microsoft’s documented alternative is to download the distribution through the web-download path:
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #4
- 【Softer and More Comfortable】Vaydeer wrist rest has unique diamond pattern, which is the combination of softness and aesthetics. The materials of wrist rest are improved into higher quality memory foam and covered with silky smooth lycra. The computer wrist rest makes you as comfortable and cushiony as like rest your wrists on clouds.
- 【Ergonomic Wrist Saver】The wrist rests for keyboard and mouse comes with a 17.32×3.15×0.83 inch keyboard wrist pad and a 5.94×3.15×0.83 inch mouse wrist support. Based on ergonomic design, the unique concave shape is the perfect fit for your wrist joints. The wrist rest pad fits most computer keyboards and laptops, improve hand and wrist posture, release your wrist and arm stress.
- 【Non-Slip Rubber Bottom】Featuring an anti-skid silicone base on the bottom, this wrist keyboard support stays firmly in place on your desk, preventing the padding from sliding around, ensuring stable and consistent wrist support during extended computer sessions.
- 【Better Experience & Pain Relief】Our keyboard arm rest is beneficial to alleviate the soreness caused by direct contact and friction between your arm and a hard desk surface, reducing the risk of wrist fatigue or carpal tunnel. The soft texture of memory foam can evenly distribute the pressure around your wrists and provide good support with just enough give.
- 【Helpful in Multiple Scenarios】Whether you're working, studying, writing, typing, gaming, this keyboard and mouse rest combo is an essential accessory to add comfort and support to your hands and wrists. It’s also a great gift for men, women, family, friend, coworker, gamer, teacher, etc.
wsl --install --web-download -d <DistroName>Use a name returned by wsl --list --online. This remedy addresses the documented 0.0% installation condition; it is not a general fix for every WSL error. If your symptom is different, do not assume that adding --web-download will resolve it.
The one-command option is unavailable on an older build
Return to the winver result and compare your Windows version and build with the manual-installation requirements. The manual route is the appropriate path when the current one-command option is unavailable because the operating system is older. Keep the architecture-specific requirements in view rather than copying a minimum from an unrelated x64 or ARM64 example.
Manual installation for older or special-case systems
The exact manual prerequisites differ between x64 and ARM64 Windows 10 systems. Confirm your architecture and use Microsoft’s current manual-installation table before following these steps. The sequence is:
- Verify that your Windows release, build, and processor architecture meet the WSL 2 requirements for that architecture.
- Enable the Windows Subsystem for Linux optional feature.
- Enable the Virtual Machine Platform optional feature.
- Restart Windows so the feature changes take effect.
- Install the WSL 2 kernel update package if your Windows release requires it.
- Set WSL 2 as the default version for new distributions with
wsl --set-default-version 2. - Install a distribution and launch it to create the Linux user account.
The manual route is not a different edition of WSL. It exposes the component, kernel, restart, default-version, and distribution steps separately so that an older system can satisfy each prerequisite. Because Microsoft changes version support over time, use the version and architecture values in the current manual guide rather than copying a build number intended for a different system.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
One-command and manual routes compared
| Question | One-command route | Manual route |
|---|---|---|
| Which systems? | Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 2004/build 19041 or later. | Older supported systems, checked against the architecture-specific table. |
| Feature setup | The command enables WSL and Virtual Machine Platform. | You enable each Windows feature separately. |
| Kernel step | Handled in the documented command flow. | Install the kernel update package when that Windows release requires it. |
| Distribution | Ubuntu by default, or a named distribution. | Install a distribution after prerequisites and restart are complete. |
| Best reason to choose it | Fastest supported setup on a current build. | Required when the one-command option is unavailable or a component must be staged separately. |
Confirm that setup is complete
Use this short verification sequence after the first launch:
- Run
wsl --statusin PowerShell or Command Prompt. - Run
wsl --list --verboseand confirm that your installed distribution appears. - Check the version column for that distribution and confirm it says 2.
- Launch the distribution again and confirm that the Linux shell opens under the account you created.
If the distribution is listed but shows version 1, the installation is present but that distribution is not yet using WSL 2. The status and list commands tell you which layer needs attention: general WSL configuration or an individual distribution’s version. Also remember that wsl --set-default-version 2 does not retroactively change a distribution that is already listed as version 1.
WSL 1 and WSL 2: when the distinction matters
This guide targets WSL 2. WSL 1 is relevant only when a compatibility constraint requires it, so do not switch versions merely because both labels appear in the command output. Check wsl --list --verbose for the version assigned to each distribution and make the choice per distribution when a specific workload depends on one version.
For a normal new installation on a supported Windows build, the documented wsl --install flow selects WSL 2 as the default for new distributions. Existing distributions and older manual installations deserve a separate verification because their version may reflect an earlier configuration.
Recommended Free Tools
Practical decisions before you install
| Situation | Best path | What you need to do |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 | One-command installation | Open an administrator terminal, run wsl --install, restart, and complete the distribution’s first launch. |
| Windows 10 version 2004, build 19041, or later | One-command installation | Use the same command and restart when prompted. |
| Windows 10 older than build 19041 | Manual installation | Check the architecture-specific requirements, enable both features, restart, install the kernel package if applicable, set the default version, and install a distribution. |
| Windows 10 or 11 Home | One-command or manual installation, depending on build | Home is supported; the required WSL and Virtual Machine Platform features still must be enabled. |
wsl --install shows help |
Explicit distribution install | Run wsl --list --online, then wsl --install -d <DistroName>. |
| Install is stuck at 0.0% | Web-download option | Run wsl --install --web-download -d <DistroName> with a listed distribution name. |
Common setup mistakes to avoid
- Checking only the edition: “Windows 10” is not enough information. The one-command minimum includes version 2004 and build 19041; use
winver. - Assuming Home cannot run WSL 2: Windows 10 Home and Windows 11 Home are supported.
- Stopping before the restart: feature and kernel changes are not complete until Windows restarts when prompted.
- Confusing WSL with a distribution: WSL supplies the Windows integration; Ubuntu, Debian, or another distribution supplies the Linux user space.
- Hard-coding an old distribution list: query
wsl --list --onlineand use the names it returns. - Checking only that a distribution launches: run
wsl --list --verboseand verify the version column says 2. - Using an old-build minimum from the wrong architecture: x64 and ARM64 manual requirements are not interchangeable.
- Treating one troubleshooting command as universal: the explicit distribution command is for the help-screen scenario, while
--web-downloadis the documented response to a 0.0% hang. - Assuming defaults migrate existing installs:
wsl --set-default-version 2controls future installations; verify and manage existing distributions separately. - Skipping the first-launch account setup: installing files is not the same as creating the Linux user account needed for normal interactive use.
Optional setup after WSL 2 works
Once the Linux shell opens and verification shows version 2, configure the environment for your purpose. Microsoft’s developer setup guidance covers optional additions such as Git, code editors, databases, and GPU workloads. None of those additions is required for the WSL 2 installation itself, and the right choices depend on what you plan to run.
Best Value
- 【No Drill Mounted】Cable management tray can be assembled in as little as 3 minutes or less-simply. Side clips easily clampe the edge of desk, pass through the holes on the sides, and secure excess cables with baskets. Desk cable management supports inward or outward installation to meet your needs in different scenarios, and provides you with great convenience when collecting and organizing wires.
- 【Rubber Pad Protects Desk】Wire organizer under desk built-in soft rubber pads on the clamp protect your desk from scratches, so you will not damage your furniture or office.
- 【Sturdy and Beautiful】Cord management under desk is made of high-quality carbon steel and holds about 15 lbs. The wire basket has 2 holes on each side of the tray to enable your cables to pass freely. Cable baskets are suitable for desk thickness use from 0.4" to 2.4".
- 【Space Saving & Keep Organized】Desk cable management tray holds all your power cords, outlet strips, USB hubs and computer transformers hidden from your feet, and the data cables will not enter the vacuum cleaner to keep your desk clean and tidy. Desk wire organizer is also suitable for use in the kitchen and outdoors.
- 【Reduce Safety Risks】Cable tray under desk keeps all plugs away from your kids, no more worry about tripping. Using 2 holes wire tray saves extra space, helps you easily cabling and wire protection. The mesh design is not easy to accumulate dust, but avoids safety accidents caused by messy wires.
Keep the basic management commands available even after you add tools: wsl --status reports general status, wsl --list --verbose reports each distribution and its WSL version, and wsl --help shows commands supported by the local installation.
Installation checklist
- Run
winver. - Confirm Windows 10 version 2004/build 19041 or later, or Windows 11, for the one-command path.
- Open an administrator PowerShell or Command Prompt.
- Run
wsl --install. - Restart when prompted.
- Launch Ubuntu or the distribution you selected.
- Create the Linux username and password on first launch.
- Run
wsl --status. - Run
wsl --list --verboseand confirm version 2. - If the command shows help, install an explicit distribution; if it hangs at 0.0%, try the documented web-download command.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I install WSL 2 on Windows?
On Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later, open an administrator PowerShell or Command Prompt, run wsl --install, restart when prompted, and launch Ubuntu. Create the Linux username and password on its first launch, then verify the distribution with wsl --list --verbose.
What command installs WSL on Windows 11?
Run wsl --install in an administrator terminal. The command enables the required WSL and Virtual Machine Platform features, installs the WSL 2 kernel, sets WSL 2 as the default for new distributions, and installs Ubuntu by default.
Can I install WSL 2 on Windows Home?
Yes. Windows 10 Home and Windows 11 Home support WSL 2. The installation still requires the Windows Subsystem for Linux and Virtual Machine Platform features, which the supported install command enables.
How do I install Ubuntu on WSL?
Ubuntu is the default distribution for wsl --install. After restarting, launch Ubuntu from Start or run wsl, wait for the files to decompress, and create the Linux username and password.
How do I install Debian instead of Ubuntu?
First run wsl --list --online and use an exact name from the output. For Debian, run wsl --install -d Debian, restart if prompted, then launch Debian and create its Linux account.
Why does wsl --install show help instead of installing?
Microsoft’s documented response is to list available distributions with wsl --list --online, then install one explicitly with wsl --install -d <DistroName>. Check the Windows build as well if the explicit command fails.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →What should I do if installation is stuck at 0.0%?
For the specific 0.0% hang documented by Microsoft, try wsl --install --web-download -d <DistroName>, replacing the placeholder with a name returned by wsl --list --online. This is not a universal fix for unrelated errors.
How do I know WSL is really using version 2?
Run wsl --list --verbose and inspect the Version column for each distribution. A value of 2 confirms that distribution is using WSL 2. wsl --status provides overall WSL information but does not replace checking individual distributions.
Do I need to buy virtualization software or special hardware?
No specific purchase is required by the installation procedure. WSL 2 uses Windows features, its kernel component, and a Linux distribution; Home edition does not require a separate virtualization product.
What if my Windows 10 build is older than 19041?
Use Microsoft’s manual installation route. Check the separate x64 or ARM64 requirements for your exact Windows version and build, enable both required features, restart, install the kernel update package if applicable, set WSL 2 as the default, and install a distribution.
The Bottom Line
Check winver first. On Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 2004/build 19041 and later, run wsl --install as administrator, restart, launch Ubuntu, and create the Linux account. Verify with wsl --status and wsl --list --verbose; use the explicit-distribution or web-download commands only for the documented troubleshooting cases.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
