Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL): A Comprehensive Guide to Setup and Usage
Are you tired of constantly switching between different operating systems when working on your projects? Are you frustrated with the time and effort it takes to set up and manage a dual-boot system? If so, the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) may be the solution you’ve been searching for.
WSL is a feature in Windows 10 that allows developers to run a Linux environment directly on their Windows machines. This means that you can now run Linux tools and applications natively on your Windows operating system without switching between different OSs. For example, with the swift package manager, programming languages like Python, Ruby, and Go can easily be installed and managed within WSL.
What is the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)?
The WSL is a built-in feature of Windows 10 (and later) that creates a Linux environment that runs natively on top of the Windows operating system. It allows you to run Linux command-line tools and utilities, including programming languages, databases, web servers, and more. WSL is not a virtual machine or emulator but a compatibility layer between Linux applications and the Windows kernel.
You can look at it as a Linux-compatible counterpart to the Windows Subsystem for UNIX, built into earlier Windows versions. However, WSL has several advantages that make it much more useful than its predecessor.
For starters, it is faster and more efficient. The performance of WSL applications and tools is close to native Linux performance thanks to a new architecture that allows them to run directly on top of the Windows kernel without going through an emulation layer. Additionally, it supports full system call compatibility so that you can run most existing Linux programs with no modifications or extra setup needed.
Benefits of WSL
The Windows Subsystem for Linux has several advantages, making it an attractive option for developers.
You can run multiple distros side by side on the same machine. This means you don’t need to dual-boot or switch between OSs if you want to work with different versions of Linux; instead, you can just install and manage the different WSL distributions within Windows. This makes using multiple programming languages, databases, and other tools easier without worrying about compatibility issues.
WSL integrates seamlessly with your existing Windows environment. You can access your local files from within the Linux environment and vice versa. Additionally, all of the standard Windows command-line tools are available in the WSL, making it easy to use them in combination with Linux tools and applications.
WSL is incredibly secure. Microsoft has implemented several security measures to ensure that Linux processes can’t access Windows resources or vice versa. So you don’t have to worry about your system being compromised when running Linux programs or accessing files from within the Linux environment.
Setting up WSL
Setting up WSL is surprisingly simple. All you need to do is download and install the latest version of Windows 10, and then open the Microsoft Store and search for “Windows Subsystem for Linux.”
Once you’ve downloaded the correct version, simply follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process. Once you’re done, you can launch a Linux terminal session directly from your Windows start menu.
From there, you can install any Linux distro you choose (you can find a list here). Each distro has its own package manager that makes it easy to install applications, tools, databases, programming languages — anything you need!
Configuring and Setting Up WSL
After installing WSL, you can customize your Linux environment, such as choosing your preferred distribution, setting up user accounts, managing network settings, and configuring permissions for file access. You can also connect to your Linux environment using various remote protocols, deploy applications, and use tools and utilities specific to your development needs.
Managing Applications in WSL
In WSL, you can interact with Linux applications and files through either the command line or a graphical user interface. You can use your favorite Linux applications, such as VS Code, Git, and Node.js, through WSL by installing them just as you would on a native Linux system. If you have an existing Linux environment, you can import it into WSL and use it as your working environment.
Tips for Using WSL Effectively
To make the most out of your experience with WSL, here are some tips:
- Learn the basic Linux commands and file system structure, even if you’re unfamiliar with Linux.
- Use a terminal emulator that supports mouse interaction and copy/paste functionality.
- Enable Windows Explorer integration to access your Linux files from the File Explorer app.
- Keep your Linux environment up to date by regularly installing updates and security patches.
- Take advantage of the interoperability features allowing you to run Windows and Linux commands and scripts within the same session.