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Windows · Virtualization & Android Emulators

Windows Subsystem for Linux for Windows

Microsoft's built-in compatibility layer for running Linux distributions and command-line tools directly on Windows, enabled as a feature.

Updated August 9, 2026 · Reviewed by SoftNexi Editorial Team, Software research and documentation

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Overview

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) lets you run genuine Linux distributions — Ubuntu, Debian, and others — directly on Windows without a traditional full virtual machine setup, through a lightweight compatibility layer. WSL 2, the current version most people use, runs a real Linux kernel in a lightweight utility VM managed by Windows' virtualization platform, which is why it's grouped alongside other virtualization tools rather than being a plain app.

It suits developers who want native-feeling Linux tools (bash, apt, Linux-native compilers) without dual-booting or running a heavyweight desktop VM, and it's the recommended backend for Docker Desktop on Windows. Many web and back-end development workflows that assume a Linux environment work more smoothly under WSL 2 than trying to replicate them directly on Windows.

Like Hyper-V, WSL is not something you download from a website — it's enabled through Windows Features or the `wsl --install` command, after which you install specific Linux distributions from the Microsoft Store or command line. It relies on the same underlying Windows hypervisor platform as Hyper-V, so the same conflicts with third-party hypervisors and Android emulators can apply.

WSL 2's file system performance is best when working with files stored inside the Linux file system itself rather than across the Windows/Linux boundary (e.g., accessing Windows drives from within WSL), which is a common source of slower-than-expected build times for people new to it.

Key features

  • Run real Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Debian, and others) alongside Windows
  • WSL 2 uses an actual Linux kernel for strong compatibility with Linux software
  • Integration with Windows Terminal and VS Code's Remote - WSL extension
  • Access Windows files from Linux and Linux files from Windows across the two systems
  • Serves as the recommended backend for Docker Desktop on Windows
  • Install and manage multiple distributions side by side

System requirements

Operating system
Windows 11, or Windows 10 version 2004 and later (build 19041+)
Virtualization
Hardware virtualization support enabled, used by the WSL 2 lightweight VM
Conflicts
Shares the underlying hypervisor platform with Hyper-V, which can interact with other virtualization software

How to install Windows Subsystem for Linux

  1. 1. Check Windows version

    Confirm you're on Windows 11 or Windows 10 build 19041 or later.

  2. 2. Run the install command

    Open PowerShell as Administrator and run `wsl --install` following Microsoft's official WSL install documentation.

  3. 3. Restart if prompted

    A restart may be required to finish enabling the underlying virtualization components.

  4. 4. Install a distribution

    Choose and install a Linux distribution such as Ubuntu from the Microsoft Store or via `wsl --install -d <DistroName>`.

How to use it

  1. 1. Open your distribution

    Launch your installed distribution from the Start menu or type its name in Windows Terminal.

  2. 2. Keep project files in Linux

    Store actively worked-on project files inside the Linux file system (not on a mounted Windows drive) for the best performance.

  3. 3. Use VS Code's Remote - WSL extension

    Edit files inside your WSL distribution directly from VS Code on Windows for a seamless workflow.

  4. 4. Update WSL

    Run `wsl --update` periodically to get the latest WSL kernel and platform updates.

Safety and privacy

  • Enable WSL only through Windows' own `wsl --install` command or Windows Features — it is not a third-party download.
  • Install Linux distributions only from the Microsoft Store or official distribution sources listed in Microsoft's documentation.
Bundled software
Not applicable — WSL is a Windows feature; individual distributions you install are official Linux distribution images.
Privacy
WSL itself does not transmit personal data beyond standard Windows telemetry; whatever you run inside a Linux distribution follows that software's own data practices.

Known risks

  • Sharing the same hypervisor platform as Hyper-V means WSL 2 can conflict with other virtualization software the same way Hyper-V does.
  • Accessing files across the Windows/Linux boundary frequently can be noticeably slower than working entirely within one file system.

What's new

  • Current release

    WSL updates both through Windows Update and its own Microsoft Store-distributed updates for the WSL kernel and tooling. See Microsoft Learn's WSL documentation for recent changes.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Built into Windows at no extra cost
  • Runs genuine Linux distributions with strong compatibility
  • Recommended backend for Docker Desktop on Windows
  • Good integration with Windows Terminal and VS Code

Cons

  • Shares Hyper-V's underlying platform, so the same virtualization conflicts can occur
  • Cross-file-system performance (Windows drives accessed from Linux) is slower than working natively in one system
  • Command-line-first setup can be intimidating for newcomers
  • Not a substitute for a full Linux desktop environment

Verdict

WSL is one of the most useful built-in Windows features for developers who want genuine Linux tooling without leaving Windows, and it underpins much of the modern Windows development stack including Docker Desktop. Just be aware it draws on the same virtualization platform as Hyper-V, so plan around potential conflicts with other hypervisors.

Frequently asked questions

How do I install WSL?

Run `wsl --install` in an administrator PowerShell window on a supported Windows 11 or Windows 10 build, following Microsoft's official installation documentation — it is not downloaded from a third-party site.

Is WSL free?

Yes, WSL is included with Windows 11 and Windows 10 at no extra cost; individual Linux distributions you install have their own open-source licenses.

Does WSL conflict with VirtualBox or VMware?

It can, since WSL 2 shares the same underlying Windows hypervisor platform as Hyper-V, which is a common source of conflicts with third-party hypervisors.

What's the difference between WSL 1 and WSL 2?

WSL 2 runs a real Linux kernel inside a lightweight VM for much better compatibility with Linux software, while WSL 1 used a translation layer with narrower compatibility; WSL 2 is the current default for most users.