Installing WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) on Windows 11 is now incredibly simple. Microsoft has significantly streamlined the installation process, which typically requires just a single command to complete.
Below are the complete installation steps, along with solutions for common issues:
- Quick Installation Steps (Recommended)
If your system is running the latest version of Windows 11, you can perform a straightforward, one-step installation directly via the Terminal:
Right-click the Windows Start menu icon and select “Terminal (Admin)” or “PowerShell (Admin).”
In the window that opens, enter the following command and press Enter:
PowerShell
wsl –install
Wait for the process to finish: This command will automatically enable the necessary Windows optional features (Virtual Machine Platform and Windows Subsystem for Linux), download the latest WSL Linux kernel, and—by default—download and install the Ubuntu distribution.
Restart your computer: Once the command-line prompt indicates that the process is complete, be sure to restart your computer to apply the changes.