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ammarjaved's avatar
ammarjaved
Iron Contributor
Aug 31, 2021

How to install the Linux Windows Subsystem in Windows 11

  Install using Command Prompt Step 1: Start CMD with administrative privileges. Step 2:Execute "wsl --install" command. Step 3:Run "wsl -l -o" to list other Linux releases. Step 4:You can...
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DanielePP's avatar
DanielePP
Copper Contributor
Jan 18, 2022

Hi,

I tried to write the wsl --install comand in my cmd prompt, ( in windows 11 ) but it doesn't work , after i write wsl --install it shows a list of comands but it doesn't start the Ubuntu installation. I have already installed Docker in my PC. Could you help me please ? Thank you best wishes

Efetobor's avatar
Efetobor
Copper Contributor
Jan 25, 2022

hi, DanielePP that is because you didn't specify the type of Linux you wanted, also the tutorials usally assume you know the full command so they tend to skip it to do you use this command say maybe for ubuntu ''wsl -- install -d ubuntu'', if it was red hat it would be "wsl --install -d redhat"   

  • DanielePP's avatar
    DanielePP
    Copper Contributor
    Jan 28, 2022
    Hi, now It works
    Thank you very much.
    Best wishes
    D
    • DJ_Cozatt's avatar
      DJ_Cozatt
      Copper Contributor
      Feb 28, 2022

      DanielePP 

       

      'wsl --install -d Debian' fails.

       

      The message was that wsl2 needs a kernel update.

  • Barry_Bazza's avatar
    Barry_Bazza
    Brass Contributor
    Jan 28, 2022

    Efetobor 

     

    According to Microsoft the single command ''wsl --install" should automatically download and install Ubuntu.

    • Jonathan080385's avatar
      Jonathan080385
      Copper Contributor
      Jan 04, 2023

      Barry_Bazza ok, so I did everything that was mentioned “ wsl - - install “ it did download the Ubuntu version. But now in windows 11 it’s asking me “ check and make sure it is enabled in bios “ how do I do this is windows 11 I know win8 not 11. Please help. 

      • ItsWindows_Duh's avatar
        ItsWindows_Duh
        Copper Contributor
        Jan 04, 2023

        Jonathan080385 

         

        Go to your BIOS and enable SVM Mode on AMD CPUs or Intel Virtualisation Technology on Intel CPUs. next, make sure WSL is enabled by running this in powershell:dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

    • ItsWindows_Duh's avatar
      ItsWindows_Duh
      Copper Contributor
      Dec 22, 2022

      Barry_Bazza That's not true and you know better- if you bothered to read that is. Microsoft ("windows") does not state anywhere that simply typing 'wsl --install' will install any specific distro on your system. you have to specify what distro and sometimes what version. Ubuntu for example: "wsl --install -d Ubuntu-20.04" will install Ubuntu 20.04 LTS subsystem and you can adjust for what rendition you want. Don't be unnecessarily ignorant just to argue points you are unable to substantiate 

      • ShanShan2285's avatar
        ShanShan2285
        Copper Contributor
        Aug 29, 2023

        ItsWindows_Duh 

        I only used wsl --install and it installed the latest version of Ubuntu on its own so it may depend on your system. 

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