How to install and use Linux apps on Windows with WSL
Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) lets you run a Linux distribution inside Windows without setting up a traditional dual-boot system or managing a separate virtual machine. It is useful for developers, students, system administrators, and anyone who needs Linux tools while keeping familiar Windows software available.
With WSL 2, Windows runs a genuine Linux kernel in a lightweight managed environment. You can install distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian, or Kali Linux, use terminal commands, manage packages with apt, and access your Windows files from Linux.
Windows 11 makes the experience more complete because WSL includes support for Linux graphical applications through WSLg. That means selected Linux apps can open in their own Windows-style windows, appear in the Start menu, and use your desktop, clipboard, sound, and display.
Check your Windows setup
The simplest method works on Windows 11 and supported versions of Windows 10. Open PowerShell as an administrator by searching for PowerShell, right-clicking it, and selecting “Run as administrator”. Then enter:
wsl --install
This command enables the required Windows features, installs the WSL 2 engine, and usually adds Ubuntu as the default Linux distribution. Restart your computer when Windows asks you to do so. On a reasonably modern laptop in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane, the download should usually finish without much fuss, although slower NBN connections may take a little longer.
After restarting, Ubuntu may open automatically and ask you to create a Linux username and password. These credentials are separate from your Microsoft account and Windows login. When entering the password, the cursor will not move on screen; that behaviour is normal in a Linux terminal.
Choose and update a Linux distribution
To see available distributions, run this command in PowerShell:
wsl --list --online
You can install another option with a command such as:
wsl --install -d Debian
Ubuntu is generally the easiest choice for beginners because it has extensive documentation and broad software support. Debian offers a conservative package base, while Kali Linux is designed for security testing and is not usually the best starting point for everyday desktop software.
Once the distribution opens, update its package information and installed software:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
The sudo command gives temporary administrator privileges inside Linux. Your Linux user password is required, and the terminal will not display it as you type. Keeping packages updated is particularly important when installing development tools, browsers, servers, or graphical utilities.
Install Linux command-line applications
Linux applications are commonly installed through a package manager. For example, Git, Python, the Nano text editor, and the tree directory viewer can be installed with:
sudo apt install git python3 nano tree
You can search for packages with:
apt search package-name
Replace package-name with a keyword such as image editor, nodejs, or office. To check whether a command is installed, use:
which git
git --version
WSL is especially useful for software development. You can run shell scripts, compile code, use SSH, manage Docker-related workflows, and test web projects in an environment that closely matches many Linux hosting servers. This can be handy for Australian freelancers working with clients in Perth or regional New South Wales who need a consistent local development setup.
Work with Windows files from Linux
Your Windows drives are available under /mnt. The C: drive appears as /mnt/c, so a Windows folder such as C:\Users\Alex\Documents\project can be opened in Linux with:
cd /mnt/c/Users/Alex/Documents/project
ls
You can launch the current directory in Windows File Explorer by entering:
explorer.exe .
Linux also provides a convenient way to open a WSL folder from File Explorer. Type \\wsl$ into the Explorer address bar, then select your distribution and browse its files.
For coding projects, Microsoft generally recommends storing files inside the Linux file system, such as your home directory, when Linux tools will access them frequently. Working directly in /mnt/c is convenient for shared Windows access, but it may be slower for projects with thousands of files, including large JavaScript applications.
Run Linux graphical applications
Linux graphical app support is built into WSL on Windows 11 through WSLg. After updating WSL, install a graphical application from the Linux terminal. For example:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install mousepad
Start it by entering:
mousepad
The application should appear as a normal window on the Windows desktop. Other suitable test applications include gedit, x11-apps, and selected open-source utilities available through Ubuntu’s repositories.
Not every Linux desktop program behaves perfectly in WSL. Full desktop environments such as GNOME or KDE are unnecessary and can create conflicts. WSLg is intended for individual Linux GUI applications, not for replacing the entire Windows desktop. Audio, microphone, graphics acceleration, and window integration depend on your hardware and Windows configuration.
For a comfortable evening setup, display settings still matter. If you also use elementary OS on another computer, this night light guide explains a related way to reduce blue light, although WSL itself does not control Windows’ Night light setting.
Manage WSL versions and distributions
PowerShell provides useful commands for checking and controlling your installations:
wsl --status
wsl --list --verbose
wsl --set-default-version 2
The --list --verbose command shows each distribution, its running state, and whether it uses WSL 1 or WSL 2. You can change a distribution with:
wsl --set-version Ubuntu 2
Replace Ubuntu with the exact distribution name shown on your computer. To shut down all running WSL environments, use:
wsl --shutdown
You can start a particular distribution from PowerShell with:
wsl -d Ubuntu
It is also possible to export a distribution for backup and import it on another computer. This is useful when moving between a home desktop and a work laptop, though you should still keep important project files in a proper backup system rather than relying solely on a WSL image.
Fix common problems
If wsl --install is not recognised, your Windows build may be outdated, or the optional features may need to be enabled manually. Run Windows Update, restart the computer, and try again. Microsoft Store restrictions on a work or school PC can also affect distribution downloads, so administrator policies may need attention.
When a Linux app will not open, update WSL from PowerShell:
wsl --update
Then restart the environment:
wsl --shutdown
If package installation fails, check the spelling of the package and run sudo apt update first. A broken network connection, repository mirror issue, or corporate firewall may also be responsible. Users on Telstra, Optus, or a smaller regional internet provider may see different download speeds, but the Linux commands remain the same.
WSL does not provide the same hardware access as a full Linux installation. USB devices, specialised graphics features, system services, and kernel modules may require extra configuration or may not work at all. For routine programming, automation, web development, and lightweight GUI tools, however, it is a practical middle ground.
Use WSL alongside everyday Windows apps
WSL works best when each operating system handles the tasks it is suited to. You might edit a document in Microsoft Word, run a Linux web server in WSL, open the result in a Windows browser, and use Git from the Linux terminal. This avoids constantly rebooting between Windows and Linux.
You can also access Windows programs from Linux by adding .exe to their commands. For example:
notepad.exe notes.txt
To open a web page in your default Windows browser, use:
explorer.exe https://example.com
This integration is useful for content creators and tech enthusiasts who test websites, manage scripts, or compare mobile software. If you are organising music on an Android phone, for example, you may use a Windows application for device management while using Linux command-line tools to sort files. A separate guide to offline music apps can help when mobile data coverage is limited during a trip through the Outback or along the coast.
Start with Ubuntu, keep the distribution updated, and install only the tools you need. With a few commands, WSL turns a Windows PC into a flexible Linux workspace without sacrificing the applications and hardware support you already rely on.
