How to Install Ubuntu 20.04 WL2 on Windows 11

Windows Subsystem for Linux version 2 – WSL2 is the updated version of WSL1 on Windows 11 or 10 that uses the Virtual Machine Platform feature to give a native Linux experience by allowing the running of GUI apps.

If you have just installed Windows 11 then here is the tutorial to enable WSL2 and install Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Linux app.

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Steps to enable WSL2 and install Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Linux App

1. Enable WSL 2 and Virtual Machine Platform

Those who yet have never used the Windows subsystem for Linux, need to first enable the same. Whereas WSL1 can be used without the Virtual machine Platform feature but WSL2 cannot.

#Command Line Method:

If you don’t want to use the GUI method then simply right-click on your Windows 11 Start menu icon and select “Windows Terminal (Admin)“. And type:

wsl --install

#GUI Method:

• Click on the Windows Search icon or press the Start button on Keyboard.

• Now, type- features, when the “Turn Windows Features On or Off” option appears select to open it.

• On Windows Features, check the box given for “Virtual Machine Platform” and “Windows Subsystem for Linux“; hit the OK button.

Reboot system

Once the features are installed, reboot your Windows to make sure integration happened successfully.

2. Install Ubuntu 20.04 on Windows 11 or 10 WSL 2

Now, we have the basic platforms we required to run Windows Subsystem for Linux version 2, it’s time to install the Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Linux app either using the Microsoft store or Powershell.

There are two ways- CLI and GUI; Select the one which you feel comfortable with.

#Command-line method:

If you would like to use the command line, then right-click on your Windows 11 Start menu icon and select Windows Terminal (Admin).

To check available Linux distros, the command is:

wsl --list --online

To install any of the listed distros, use its name using the below command:

wsl --install Ubuntu-20.04

GUI Method:

If you want it via Microsoft Store, then click on its icon given in the Taskbar or search the same in the Programs. After that search for Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

3. Run Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Linux App

Now, either click on the Windows 11 search button then type- Ubuntu to run the installed Linux distro or just open Windows Terminal-> click on the arrow icon and select Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.