Beginner’s Guide to WSL: Install and Run Ubuntu on Windows (Chapter 1)

If you’re a developer, sysadmin, or even a curious learner, chances are you’ve heard of Linux. But what if you’re on Windows and want to use Linux without setting up dual boot or a virtual machine?

That’s where WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) comes in. With WSL, you can run a full Linux distribution like Ubuntu directly inside your Windows environment — without leaving Windows!

✅ What You’ll Learn

• What is WSL and why it matters
• Differences between WSL1 and WSL2
• How to install WSL and Ubuntu
• First steps after installation
• How Linux and Windows interact inside WSL

💡 What is WSL?

WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) is a compatibility layer that lets you run Linux binaries natively on Windows. You get access to a real Linux kernel and tools like bash, apt, nano, and gcc.

There are two versions:

• WSL 1 – Translates Linux system calls to Windows. Faster for file access.
• WSL 2 – Full Linux kernel running in a lightweight VM. Better performance and compatibility.

💬 Recommendation: Use WSL 2 — it’s the latest and most powerful.

🔧 How to Install WSL & Ubuntu (Step-by-Step)

🟢 Step 1: Enable WSL Feature

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

wsl --install

This will:

• Install WSL 2
• Enable Virtual Machine Platform
• Install Ubuntu by default

If Ubuntu doesn’t install automatically, use:

wsl --install -d Ubuntu

For older systems, enable manually:

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

🟢 Step 2: Set Ubuntu as Default (Optional)

wsl --set-default Ubuntu

🟢 Step 3: Check WSL Version

wsl --list --verbose

Output:

  NAME      STATE           VERSION
* Ubuntu    Running         2

If still version 1, convert with:

wsl --set-version Ubuntu 2

🧭 First Time Running Ubuntu

• Open Ubuntu from the Start Menu.
• Wait for setup and installation.
• Create your username and password when prompted.

You’re now inside Ubuntu running inside Windows 🎉

🗃️ Accessing Files

🔹 Access Windows Files from Linux

cd /mnt/c/Users/YourName/Desktop
ls

🔹 Access Linux Files from Windows

In File Explorer, go to:

\\wsl$\Ubuntu

🛠️ Basic WSL Commands

📂 Folder Structure of Linux

• /home/yourusername – User’s home directory
• /etc – Configuration files
• /var/log – System logs
• /usr/bin – Linux executable commands
• /mnt/c – Windows C drive

🤔 Common Questions

❓ Do I need to dual boot now?

No! WSL runs side-by-side with Windows.

❓ Can I install GUI apps?

Yes, WSL 2 supports GUI apps. For example:

sudo apt install gedit
gedit

❓ Is it safe to use WSL?

Yes, it’s isolated and officially supported by Microsoft.

🧪 Quick Practice

Try these inside your Ubuntu terminal:

pwd
ls /
cd /mnt/c/Users
whoami
uname -a

✅ Summary

You’ve now:

• Understood WSL
• Installed Ubuntu on Windows
• Learned to run and manage WSL
• Explored file sharing between Linux and Windows

You’re ready to move forward and explore Linux commands and usage.

▶️ Coming Up Next

Chapter 2 – Linux File System and Navigation Commands
We’ll dive into Linux folders, paths, and how to navigate with commands like cd, ls, and pwd.