[Tip] How to Install and Run Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) in Windows 10

Apart from many new features and changes, Windows 10 newer versions come with another interesting feature which is called “Bash on Ubuntu on Windows“. Now Windows 10 comes with real, native Bash shell which provides a familiar Linux environment to allow Windows 10 users to run common command-line utilities such as grep, vi, awk, etc, run shell scripts and run Linux software and apps.

Microsoft calls it as “Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)” which runs a genuine Ubuntu user-mode image which allows Windows 10 users to run native Bash shell and execute bash scripts, run command-line tools directly on Windows. This Bash shell also supports Windows filesystem so you can access Windows filesystem within Bash shell and directly work on your documents.

Don’t consider this Bash shell as any virtual machine or container running on Windows 10. Its a real native Bash environment to run Linux apps and commands on Windows just like you run Windows software programs using Wine on Linux.

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But its only available in 64-bit (x64) versions of Windows 10 operating systems. So if you are using a 32-bit (x86) build of Windows 10, you are out of luck.

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By default, this Bash shell doesn’t come preinstalled in Windows 10. You need to install it manually. If you are interesting in trying out this new feature, you can follow these simple steps to install and enable native Bash on Ubuntu on Windows 10:

UPDATE: Newer Windows 10 versions don’t require enabling Developer Mode option. So skip Step 1 and Step 2, if you are using a newer version of Windows 10.

1. First of all you’ll need to enable Developer Mode using Settings app. Open Settings app from Start Menu or press WIN+I keys together to directly launch Settings app.

Now go to “Update & Security -> For Developers” page.

PS: Alternatively, You can directly launch this page using “ms-settings:developers” command in RUN dialog box as mentioned here.

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2. Select “Developer Mode” option. It’ll ask for confirmation, click on Yes button. It’ll take a few moments in installing Developer Mode package. You may be asked to reboot your computer.

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3. Now you’ll need to install Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) package. To install it, open Control Panel, go to “Programs and Features” and then click on “Turn Windows features on or off” link.

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Now enable “Windows Subsystem for Linux” option and click on OK button. It’ll take a few moments in installing the package and will ask you to restart the computer to take effects.

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4. After reboot, you can open Bash shell by searching for bash using Cortana search box or directly run bash command using Command Prompt or RUN dialog box. When you’ll run Bash for the first time, it’ll show you terms of service, press Y key to accept the terms.

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5. Now the shell will download “Bash on Ubuntu on Windows” app from Windows Store. It’ll take a few minutes in downloading the app package. After extracting the files, it’ll ask you create a new UNIX user account, so create a new account by following the instructions.

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6. That’s it. Now you’ll have a real, native Bash shell running in Windows 10. You can run Linux command-line tools, Linux apps, shell scripts in this shell.

It’ll add an entry for the Bash shell in Start Menu for quick access.

You can also download and install several Linux distros from Microsoft Store.

Also Check:

[Windows 10 Tip] Remove “Open Linux Shell Here” Option from Folder Context Menu

Published in: Windows 10

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Hi VG, its possible to Install Native Bash Shell offline. please do something for offline installer.

    ^.^ thanks you

  2. Thanks VG! But I want to know that if am create any directory (folder) , a file like an example .html any file type format, where I am found files and folders in my windows files (like ubuntu file manager). it’s not here in root .

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