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.

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.

Take our command line for beginners tutorial ›

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.

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

  • 乐天堂fun88备用网址s

    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

  • Security

    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 Ubuntu on 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

  1. Enable WSL on Windows 10

    Open PowerShell as Administrator:

    Type the following commands:

    Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux

    Restart your computer when prompted.

  2. Install Ubuntu

    Download Ubuntu for WSL from the Microsoft Store.

  3. Run Ubuntu

    Run Ubuntu from the Start Menu.

  4. Set up Ubuntu

    Select a username and password for your administrative user.

Getting Started with WSL

Tutorial

Installing packages on Ubuntu on WSL

Tutorial

Running graphical applications with X on WSL

Tutorial

Hello World on WSL

WSL 1 and 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 乐天堂fun88备用网址.

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.
How to Enable WSL 2

Discover more Ubuntu on WSL

Tutorial

Getting help with Ubuntu on WSL

Tutorial

WSL performance tips

Tutorial

Installing Ubuntu on WSL without Microsoft Store