Windows Subsystem for Linux is a feature of Microsoft Windows that allows developers to run a Linux environment without the need for a separate virtual machine or dual booting. There are two versions of WSL: WSL 1 and WSL 2. WSL is not available to all Windows 10 users by default.

Step 1: Enable WSL

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run the command wsl --install. This command enables the necessary Windows features, installs the Ubuntu Linux distribution by default, and sets up WSL 2 as the default. If WSL is already installed, manage existing distributions or install new ones with commands like wsl --list --online and wsl --install -d <DistroName>.

Step 2: Restart Your Computer

After running the installation command, restart your computer to complete the setup and implement any updates.

Step 3: Set Up Linux User Account

Upon first launching your Linux distribution, you’ll be prompted to create a user account and password. This account will serve as the administrator account with the ability to execute sudo commands.

Step 4: Install Additional Linux Distributions

If you desire additional Linux distributions, you can install them via the Microsoft Store or by using the command wsl --install -d <DistributionName>. List all available distributions with wsl --list --online.

Step 5: Configure WSL and Terminal

Optimize your setup by customizing the Windows Terminal, which supports multiple tabs and extensive personalization. Access Linux files from Windows using explorer.exe . within your Linux environment. For development, integrate Visual Studio Code with WSL to enhance workflow by enabling direct code editing and execution within Linux.

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