How to Install Windows Subsystem for Linux on Windows

The fastest way to install Windows Subsystem for Linux is to open PowerShell or Windows Terminal as an administrator and run:

See also the Windows Subsystem for Linux overview and the companion how to install Windows Subsystem for Linux guide. Finish with Windows Subsystem for Linux Ubuntu or WSL Arch Linux; troubleshoot empty installs via WSL has no installed distributions, then try WSL Linux GUI.

wsl --install

Restart your computer when prompted. Windows will install WSL and Ubuntu, which is the default Linux distribution. After restarting, open Ubuntu, create a Linux username and password, and verify the installation with:

wsl --list --verbose

A successful installation should show Ubuntu with VERSION 2.

Microsoft recommends this one-command method for Windows 11 and supported Windows 10 systems. New Linux distributions installed this way use WSL 2 by default.

WSL Installation at a Glance

1. Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal as administrator.
2. Run wsl --install.
3. Restart Windows.
4. Open Ubuntu from the Start menu.
5. Create a Linux username and password.
6. Run sudo apt update inside Ubuntu.
7. Run wsl -l -v in PowerShell to confirm WSL 2 is active.

If the command does not work, use one of these quick fixes:

• If WSL shows only a help screen, run wsl --install -d Ubuntu.
• If the download remains at 0.0%, run wsl --install --web-download -d Ubuntu.
• If you see error 0x80370102, enable Virtual Machine Platform and hardware virtualization.
• If WSL says there are no installed distributions, install Ubuntu separately.

What Is Windows Subsystem for Linux?

Windows Subsystem for Linux, commonly called WSL, is a Windows feature that lets you run a Linux environment directly inside Windows.

It provides access to Linux command-line tools, utilities, package managers and applications without requiring a traditional dual-boot installation or a separately managed virtual machine.

A complete WSL setup normally contains two parts:

• The WSL platform, which connects Windows and Linux;
• A Linux distribution, such as Ubuntu, Debian or Kali Linux.

Installing the WSL platform alone does not necessarily give you a usable Linux terminal. You also need at least one Linux distribution.

Before Installing WSL

For the easiest installation process, use:

• Windows 11; or
• Windows 10 version 2004 or later with Build 19041 or later;
• an administrator account;
• an internet connection;
• a computer with virtualization support for WSL 2.

To check your Windows version:

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type:

winver

1. Select OK.

The window will display your Windows edition, version and OS build.

Microsoft still documents WSL installation for supported Windows 10 builds, although general support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025. Users who can upgrade should generally use a supported Windows 11 installation.

Method 1: Install WSL with One Command

This is the recommended method for most users.

Step 1: Open PowerShell as Administrator

Open the Start menu and search for:

• PowerShell;
• Windows Terminal; or
• Command Prompt.

Right-click the application and select Run as administrator.

If a User Account Control window appears, select Yes.

Step 2: Run the WSL Installation Command

Enter:

wsl --install

The command normally performs several tasks automatically:

• enables Windows Subsystem for Linux;
• enables the required virtualization components;
• installs or updates WSL;
• downloads Ubuntu;
• sets WSL 2 as the default for the new distribution.

Ubuntu is installed by default unless you specify another distribution.

Step 3: Restart Windows

Restart the computer after the installation command finishes.

Do not skip this step. Windows may need the restart to activate Virtual Machine Platform and other WSL components.

Step 4: Open Ubuntu

After restarting, Ubuntu may open automatically.

If it does not:

1. Open the Windows Start menu.
2. Search for Ubuntu.
3. Select the Ubuntu application.

The first launch may take a few minutes because Ubuntu needs to initialize its Linux file system.

Step 5: Create Your Linux Account

Ubuntu will ask you to create:

• a UNIX username;
• a UNIX password.

This account exists inside Ubuntu and does not have to match your Windows account.

When you type the Linux password, the terminal will not display dots, asterisks or other characters. This is normal Linux terminal behavior.

Step 6: Update Ubuntu

After the Ubuntu terminal opens, update the available package information:

sudo apt update

Install available updates with:

sudo apt upgrade -y

Enter the Linux password you created when prompted.

Step 7: Verify the Installation

Open PowerShell and run:

wsl --list --verbose

You can also use the shorter version:

wsl -l -v

A successful result should look similar to:

NAME      STATE           VERSION
Ubuntu    Running         2

The VERSION column tells you whether the distribution is using WSL 1 or WSL 2.

You can also check the general WSL configuration:

wsl --status

To display the installed WSL component versions, run:

wsl --version

Microsoft documents these commands as the main ways to check installed distributions, WSL versions and configuration status.

How to Install a Different Linux Distribution

The standard command installs Ubuntu, but WSL supports other Linux distributions.

To see the distributions currently available, run:

wsl --list --online

Install a specific distribution with:

wsl --install -d 

For example, to install Debian:

wsl --install -d Debian

Use the exact distribution name shown by wsl --list --online.

You can install multiple Linux distributions on the same Windows computer. To start a specific one, run:

wsl -d 

To set a distribution as the default:

wsl --set-default 

How to Install WSL Without Opening Microsoft Store

You do not have to search for Ubuntu manually in the Microsoft Store interface.

Open PowerShell as administrator and run:

wsl --install -d Ubuntu

If access to the normal Store-based delivery route is restricted, try:

wsl --install --web-download -d Ubuntu

Ask Ubuntu users frequently raise this issue when using local Windows accounts, managed computers or systems where Microsoft Store access is unavailable. The command-line installation provides an alternative to manually opening and signing in to the Store.

Company-managed devices may still block downloads through administrator policies, proxy settings or application-control rules.

What to Do If wsl --install Shows the Help Screen

On some computers, WSL components are already installed, but no Linux distribution has been added.

Instead of completing the installation, wsl --install may display the WSL command help.

First, list available distributions:

wsl --list --online

Then install Ubuntu explicitly:

wsl --install -d Ubuntu

Restart Windows if requested, then open Ubuntu from the Start menu.

What to Do If the Installation Is Stuck at 0.0%

If the Ubuntu download remains at 0.0%, use the web-download option:

wsl --install --web-download -d Ubuntu

You can also update WSL before trying again:

wsl --update

Shut down all active WSL instances:

wsl --shutdown

Then rerun the installation command.

How to Fix Error 0x80370102

You may see:

WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x80370102
The virtual machine could not be started because a required feature is not installed.

This is one of the most frequently viewed WSL installation problems on Ask Ubuntu. It usually means WSL 2 cannot access the virtualization features it needs.

Fix 1: Enable Virtual Machine Platform

Open PowerShell as administrator and run:

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart

Also enable Windows Subsystem for Linux:

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

Restart the computer.

Microsoft lists Virtual Machine Platform as a required component for WSL 2.

Fix 2: Enable Virtualization in BIOS or UEFI

Open Task Manager and select:

Performance → CPU

Look for:

Virtualization: Enabled

If it says disabled, restart the computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI settings.

Depending on the manufacturer, the setting may be called:

• Intel Virtualization Technology;
• Intel VT-x;
• AMD-V;
• SVM Mode;
• Virtualization Technology.

Enable it, save the changes and restart Windows.

Fix 3: Check for Nested Virtualization

If Windows is itself running inside VMware, VirtualBox, Parallels or another virtual machine, WSL 2 also requires nested virtualization.

The host hardware, host operating system and virtualization software must all support it. Ask Ubuntu and Microsoft WSL issue reports show that missing nested virtualization is a recurring cause of error 0x80370102.

If nested virtualization is unavailable and you only need basic Linux command-line functionality, you can try WSL 1:

wsl --set-default-version 1

WSL 2 remains the recommended option on compatible computers.

How to Fix Error 0x800701BC

You may see:

WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x800701bc
WSL 2 requires an update to its kernel component.

Open PowerShell as administrator and run:

wsl --update

Then restart WSL:

wsl --shutdown

Open Ubuntu again.

Older manually configured WSL installations may require the separate WSL 2 kernel update process described in Microsoft's manual installation documentation.

How to Fix “WSL Has No Installed Distributions”

This message means the WSL platform is available, but no Linux distribution has been installed.

Run:

wsl --list --online

Then install Ubuntu:

wsl --install -d Ubuntu

After installation, check it with:

wsl -l -v

How to Install WSL Manually

The manual installation method is useful when:

• the one-command installation is unavailable;
• Windows is using an older compatible build;
• automatic feature activation fails;
• your organization requires manual configuration.

Step 1: Enable Windows Subsystem for Linux

Run in administrator PowerShell:

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

Step 2: Enable Virtual Machine Platform

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart

Step 3: Restart Windows

Restart the computer to activate the features.

Step 4: Update WSL

Run:

wsl --update

Step 5: Set WSL 2 as the Default

wsl --set-default-version 2

Step 6: Install Ubuntu

wsl --install -d Ubuntu

Microsoft recommends the simpler wsl --install method whenever it is available. The manual process is mainly intended for older Windows installations and special deployment situations.

Where Are WSL Files Stored?

Once WSL is installed, you can work with both Windows and Linux files.

Understanding where the files are located is especially important if you want to use Linux tools to process documents, spreadsheets, reports or PDFs and then open the results in a Windows desktop application.

Access Windows Files from Ubuntu

Windows drives are mounted under /mnt.

Your Windows C drive is available at:

/mnt/c

For example, your Windows Documents folder may be:

cd /mnt/c/Users//Documents

Your Downloads folder may be:

cd /mnt/c/Users//Downloads

A file saved there from Ubuntu will also be available to normal Windows applications.

Access Ubuntu Files from Windows

From an Ubuntu terminal, move to the folder you want to open and run:

explorer.exe .

Windows File Explorer will open that Linux directory.

You can also enter the following address in File Explorer:

\\wsl$

Select Ubuntu and navigate to your Linux home folder.

Microsoft recommends storing Linux development projects inside the Linux file system when they are primarily used by Linux tools. This generally provides better performance than repeatedly running Linux tools against files stored under /mnt/c.

Do not directly modify the WSL virtual disk file or try to edit files inside ext4.vhdx. Access Linux files through WSL commands, explorer.exe . or the \\wsl$ path.

How to Use WPS Office with WSL

WSL is designed for Linux command-line tools, development environments, automation and Linux applications. It is not intended to replace every Windows desktop program.

A practical workflow is:

• use WSL for Linux commands, scripts and development tools;
• use Windows File Explorer to move between Linux and Windows folders;
• use WPS Office for Windows to edit documents, spreadsheets, presentations and PDFs.

WPS Office provides Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation and PDF tools, and its Windows version supports common formats including DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, CSV, PPT, PPTX and PDF.

Example: Create a Report in WSL and Edit It in WPS Office

Suppose you use Python inside Ubuntu to generate a CSV report.

Save the report to your Windows Documents folder:

python3 generate_report.py > /mnt/c/Users//Documents/report.csv

Then:

1. Open Windows File Explorer.
2. Go to the Documents folder.
3. Open report.csv with WPS Spreadsheet.
4. Format the data, add charts or export it as a PDF.

You can use the same workflow for:

• DOCX reports;
• XLSX data files;
• CSV exports;
• PPTX presentations;
• PDF documents.

Example: Open a WSL Project Folder in Windows

Inside Ubuntu, go to your project:

cd ~/projects/monthly-report

Open it in File Explorer:

explorer.exe .

From there, open the relevant document or spreadsheet with WPS Office.

Should You Install WPS Office Inside WSL?

Current WSL 2 installations support individual Linux GUI applications through WSLg on supported Windows systems. These apps can appear in the Start menu and run alongside Windows applications.

However, for everyday Office and PDF editing, installing the native Windows version of WPS Office is normally the simpler WSL workflow because:

• it integrates directly with Windows File Explorer;
• it can open files saved under /mnt/c;
• it avoids additional Linux GUI dependencies;
• it is easier to update and launch from Windows.

WPS Office also offers a native Linux version for users running a full Linux desktop rather than only a WSL command-line environment.

Edit Office Files While Working with WSL

WSL gives you access to Linux tools, but many projects still produce files that need to be reviewed, formatted or shared with other people.

WPS Office can be used alongside WSL to:

• edit Word-compatible documents;
• organize CSV and Excel-compatible data;
• create presentations;
• read and edit PDF files;
• convert working files into shareable formats.

A useful setup is:

WSL: code, scripts, package managers and automation
Windows: File Explorer and desktop applications
WPS Office: documents, spreadsheets, presentations and PDFs

This keeps Linux development work inside WSL while providing a full desktop environment for final document preparation.

Useful WSL Commands

List installed distributions

wsl --list --verbose

List available distributions

wsl --list --online

Install Ubuntu

wsl --install -d Ubuntu

Start Ubuntu

wsl -d Ubuntu

Update WSL

wsl --update

Stop all WSL distributions

wsl --shutdown

Set WSL 2 as the default

wsl --set-default-version 2

Convert Ubuntu from WSL 1 to WSL 2

wsl --set-version Ubuntu 2

Open the current Linux folder in Windows

explorer.exe .

Frequently Asked Questions

Does wsl --install install Ubuntu automatically?

Yes. Ubuntu is the default distribution installed by wsl --install. Use the -d option if you want a different distribution.

Do I need to install Ubuntu separately?

Usually not. The standard installation command installs both WSL and Ubuntu.

If WSL is already present or the automatic Ubuntu installation fails, run:

wsl --install -d Ubuntu

Should I use WSL 1 or WSL 2?

WSL 2 is the default for new installations and is the better general option for modern Linux tools, broader compatibility and Linux GUI applications.

WSL 1 can still be useful when virtualization is unavailable or when a specific workflow benefits from its architecture.

Does installing Ubuntu through WSL erase Windows?

No. WSL runs Ubuntu inside Windows and does not create a traditional dual-boot installation or erase the Windows system. An Ask Ubuntu discussion addressing this concern confirms that installing the Ubuntu WSL application does not wipe the computer.

Do I need to partition my hard drive?

No. A normal WSL installation does not require manually creating a Linux partition.

Can I install multiple Linux distributions?

Yes. You can install and run multiple distributions through WSL.

Use:

wsl --list --online

Then install another distribution:

wsl --install -d 

Why does Ubuntu ask for another password?

The Ubuntu password belongs to your Linux user account. It is separate from your Windows password and is used for commands such as sudo.

Why does nothing appear when I type my Ubuntu password?

Linux terminals do not display password characters. Continue typing and press Enter.

How do I know whether Ubuntu is using WSL 2?

Run:

wsl -l -v

Check the value in the VERSION column.

Can Windows applications open files created in WSL?

Yes. Save the files under a Windows-mounted path such as:

/mnt/c/Users//Documents

You can then open them with Windows applications such as WPS Office.

For files stored in the Linux file system, use explorer.exe . or \\wsl$ to access them safely.

Can WPS Office open files generated in Ubuntu?

Yes, provided the files use supported formats such as DOCX, XLSX, CSV, PPTX or PDF. Save or copy them to a Windows-accessible location and open them with WPS Office for Windows.

Final WSL Installation Checklist

Your installation is complete when:

• wsl --install finishes without an error;
• Windows has been restarted;
• Ubuntu opens successfully;
• you have created a Linux username and password;
• sudo apt update works;
• wsl -l -v lists Ubuntu;
• Ubuntu shows VERSION 2;
• Windows files are accessible under /mnt/c;
• Linux folders can be opened with explorer.exe ..

For most users, the complete process starts with:

wsl --install

Once WSL is running, use Ubuntu for Linux commands and development tools, then use Windows applications such as WPS Office to review, edit and share the documents, spreadsheets, presentations and PDF files produced by your Linux workflow.

Related WSL guides: Windows Subsystem for Linux overview, how to install Windows Subsystem for Linux, Windows Subsystem for Linux Ubuntu, WSL has no installed distributions, WSL Linux GUI, and WSL Arch Linux, and uninstall Windows Subsystem for Linux.

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