Quickly Set Up Linux on Windows 10 with WSL – Step‑by‑Step Guide

Introduction

Most users install Linux on a PC either via a virtual machine or a dual‑boot setup, which can be cumbersome. Windows 10 actually includes a built‑in Linux subsystem (WSL) that allows you to run Linux directly.

Step 1 – Get a Linux distribution

Open the Microsoft Store, search for “Linux”, and choose a distribution. The store offers many options; the tutorial uses Ubuntu, whose package is only about 200 MB. Click “Get” to download and install.

Step 2 – Enable the WSL feature

After installing Ubuntu, the subsystem is still inactive. Open Settings → Developer Options and enable developer mode. Then open Control Panel → Programs → Turn Windows features on or off , check “Windows Subsystem for Linux”, and restart the computer.

Step 3 – First launch and configuration

After reboot, launch the Ubuntu app like any other program. On first run you will be prompted to create a username and password. This setup is required only once; subsequent launches skip the prompt.

Notes

The basic commands work, but the default Ubuntu installation may lack up‑to‑date software sources. Updating the sources is necessary for installing many packages; see the author’s other article for details.