What is the difference between WSL 1 and WSL 2?

WSL 2 uses a lightweight virtual machine with Hyper-V technology to provide improved file system performance and full system call compatibility, while WSL 1 uses a compatibility layer.

Can I access Windows files from WSL?

Yes, you can access Windows files from WSL through the /mnt/c directory.

How do I install a Linux distribution on WSL?

You can install a Linux distribution from the Microsoft Store.

Does WSL support GUI applications?

Yes, WSLg enables running Linux GUI applications directly on Windows.

Can I use Docker with WSL?

Yes, Docker integrates seamlessly with WSL 2, allowing you to run Docker containers directly within the WSL environment.

Yes, WSL is a free feature included with Windows.

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Windows Subsystem for Linux

4.6

Free

WSL receives positive reviews for its seamless Linux integration and performance improvements, especially WSL 2.

Run a GNU/Linux environment directly on Windows.

General AIFree pricingUpdated 2026-04-01

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Run Linux applicationsCross-platform development

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Run a GNU/Linux environment directly on Windows.

About Windows Subsystem for Linux

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows developers to run a GNU/Linux environment directly on Windows without the overhead of a traditional virtual machine or dual-boot setup. WSL achieves this by providing a compatibility layer that translates Linux system calls into Windows system calls. This architecture enables users to run Linux command-line tools, utilities, and applications unmodified. WSL supports multiple Linux distributions, which can be installed from the Microsoft Store. WSL integrates closely with the Windows file system, allowing easy access to files in both environments. It's particularly useful for web development, scripting, and using Linux-specific tools within a Windows workflow. WSL 2 improves performance through a lightweight virtual machine utilizing Hyper-V technology.

Quick Summary

Run a GNU/Linux environment directly on Windows.

5-15 minutesSetup: medium

General AI

Product Release Intel

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Checked Apr 1, 2026

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Core Capabilities

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows developers to run a GNU/Linux environment directly on Windows without the overhead of a traditional virtual machine or dual-boot setup.

Use Cases

Web Development

Developers can use Linux-specific tools like npm, yarn, and various web servers directly on Windows, ensuring consistency across development and production environments.

VIEW EXECUTION STEPS

Install WSL and a Linux distribution (e.g., Ubuntu).

Install Node.js and npm using the Linux package manager.

Clone a web application repository from GitHub.

Run 'npm install' to install dependencies.

Start the development server using 'npm start'.

Scripting and Automation

Enables running Bash scripts and other Linux command-line utilities for automating tasks on Windows.

VIEW EXECUTION STEPS

Install WSL and a Linux distribution (e.g., Debian).

Create a Bash script for automating a specific task.

Make the script executable using 'chmod +x script.sh'.

Run the script using './script.sh'.

Cross-Platform Testing

Allows developers to test their applications on both Windows and Linux environments, ensuring compatibility and identifying potential issues.

VIEW EXECUTION STEPS

Install WSL and a Linux distribution (e.g., Fedora).

Copy the application code to the Linux environment.

Compile and run the application using Linux tools.

Test the application's functionality and performance.

Machine Learning

Provides a Linux environment with GPU acceleration for training and deploying machine learning models on Windows.

VIEW EXECUTION STEPS

Install WSL 2 and a Linux distribution (e.g., Ubuntu).

Install CUDA drivers and the necessary machine learning libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch).

Load and preprocess the training data.

Train the machine learning model using the GPU.

Deploy and test the trained model.

Running Linux-Specific Applications

Allows running Linux-only applications directly on Windows without the need for dual-booting or a separate virtual machine.

VIEW EXECUTION STEPS

Install WSL and a Linux distribution (e.g., Arch Linux).

Install the required dependencies using the Linux package manager.

Download the Linux-specific application.

Run the application using the command line.

Windows Subsystem for Linux

About Windows Subsystem for Linux

Core Capabilities

Main Tasks

Develop cross-platform applications

Cross-platform development

Run Linux applications on Windows

What this tool is best suited for

Shortlist Windows Subsystem for Linux against top options

Key Features

WSLg (WSL GUI)

Cross-Platform File System

WSL 2 with Hyper-V

GPU Acceleration

Docker Integration

Use Cases

Web Development

Scripting and Automation

Cross-Platform Testing

Machine Learning

Running Linux-Specific Applications

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