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Do you want to install Ubuntu on your Windows 11 PC without the need to dual boot? This guide teaches you the steps to install Ubuntu on Windows 11 using the Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2).
Step 1: Check that your PC meets the Prerequisite to Install Ubuntu
As I hinted in my introduction, before you can install Ubuntu, your PC must meet some requirements. Specifically, your PC must be running Windows 11 (build 22000 or higher)
Follow the steps below to check the build number of your Windows 11 installation.
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- Right-click the Windows 11 Start menu and select Settings.
- Then, when the Settings page opens, the System category will be selected by default. On the details pane of the System settings, scroll down and click About.
- Finally, on the About page, scroll down to the Windows specifications section and check the OS built for your Windows 11 installation. If it is 22000 or higher, proceed to the next section of this guide below.
Otherwise, update your PC.
Step 2: Install the “Virtual Machine Platform” Windows Optional Feature
One of the requirements to install Ubuntu Windows 11 is the Virtual Machine Platform. To install this Windows optional feature, follow the steps below.
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- Click the Windows 11 search icon. Then, type windows features and select Turn Windows features on or off from the search result.
- When the Windows features pop up opens, scroll down and check Virtual Machine Platform. Then, click OK and wait for Windows features to display the restart option.
- Before you click OK, locate Windows Subsystem for Linux and confirm that it is unchecked.
Step 3: Install the Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 and the Ubuntu Apps from Microsoft Store
The final step to installing Ubuntu in Windows 11 is to install the Windows Subsystem for Linux app from the Microsoft store. Then, you’ll download and install the Ubuntu Linux app from the Microsoft store as well.
Follow the steps below to complete this last step and install Linux on your Windows 11 PC!
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- Search store, then click Microsoft Store from the search result.
- When Microsoft Store opens, search windows subsystem. Then, select Windows Subsystem for Linux Preview from the search results.
- Finally, when the app opens, click Get and wait for it to download and install the app. After you have installed the Windows Subsystem for Linux Preview app (it will display the Open button), proceed to step 4 below.
- Search ubuntu on the Microsoft Store. Then, select Ubuntu 20.04.5 LTS.
- When Windows 11 finishes installing the Ubuntu app, click the Open button.
“The system cannot find the file specified. Error code: Wsl/Service/CreateInstance/ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND”.
- If you receive this error message, you may have attempted to install another version of Linux on your Windows 11 PC.
To fix the problem, press the enter key to close the Ubuntu Windows. Then, open the command prompt as administrator and run the command below.
wsl --unregister Ubuntu-22.04
- Then, open Ubuntu again. Then, wait for Ubuntu to display the “Enter new UNIX username” prompt.
- Enter a user name and press the enter key on your keyboard.
- Now, type a password and press the enter key on your keyboard. Re-type the same password and press enter key.
The Ubuntu instance will display the lovely Linux prompt. You have successfully installed Ubuntu in Windows 11!
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- Finally, it is recommended to update your new Ubuntu installation. To update the installation, run the following commands.
sudo apt update sudo apt full-upgrade
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you can download and install Ubuntu in Windows 11, enable Virtualization in your PC’s BIOS. Then, follow the steps below to download and install Ubuntu:
i) Install the “Virtual Machine Platform” Windows Optional Feature
ii) Then, install the Windows Subsystem For Linux Preview from the Microsoft store
iii) Next, install Ubuntu 20.04.5 LTS from Microsoft store
iv) Finally, after installing Ubuntu, open it; then follow the prompt to create an account and set your password.
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WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) has all you need to run and learn Linux. Although it may not have all the features of a full Linux installation, it has all you need to run Linux in a test environment.
I would say, yes. WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) is faster than running a full VM. Even though WSL 2 uses the Linux kernel running under Hyper-V, it consumes less resources, so it is generally faster than a VM.
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- The available storage capacity may vary.
Effectively, YES, WSL can replace dual boot. WSL allows you to run a Linux distro within Windows.
So, WSL has the advantage of running two operating systems (Windows and Linux) without needing to leave one and boot into the other.
Yes. WSL is free to use.
Conclusion
The Linux Subsystem for Linux (WSL) has been a go-to tool for Windows users that want to play around with a Linux distro within Windows. Although WSL version 1 was great, WSL version 2 (WSL2) has taken it to the next level!
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WSL2 has made running a Linux distro like Ubuntu in Windows 11. So, as part of the steps to install Ubuntu in Windows 11, as shown in this guide, you have to install Linux Subsystem for Linux 2.
It is important to mention that WSL2 uses the Linux kernel running under Hyper-V. So, your PC must support virtualization, and you must enable it in the BIOS.
This guide showed you the full step to download and install Ubuntu in Windows 11, and I hope you found the guide easy to follow. Most importantly, I hope you now have Ubuntu running in on your Windows 11 PC!
If you found the guide helpful, click on “Yes” beside the “Was this page helpful” question below. You may also express your thoughts and opinions by using the “Leave a Comment” form at the bottom of this page.
Finally, for more Windows 11 guides, visit our Windows 11 How-To Guides – Get Windows 11 Guides page.
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