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If you're running an older build, or just prefer not to use the install command and would like step-by-step directions, see WSL manual installation steps for older versions. ( This default distribution can be changed). This command will enable the features necessary to run WSL and install the Ubuntu distribution of Linux.
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Open PowerShell or Windows Command Prompt in administrator mode by right-clicking and selecting "Run as administrator", enter the wsl -install command, then restart your machine. You can now install everything you need to run WSL with a single command. You must be running Windows 10 version 2004 and higher (Build 19041 and higher) or Windows 11.
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The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) lets developers install a Linux distribution (such as Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, Kali, Debian, Arch Linux, etc) and use Linux applications, utilities, and Bash command-line tools directly on Windows, unmodified, without the overhead of a traditional virtual machine or dualboot setup. Developers can access the power of both Windows and Linux at the same time on a Windows machine.
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