Windows Subsystem for Linux Documentation
Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) lets developers run a GNU/Linux environment -- including most command-line tools, utilities, and applications -- directly on Windows, unmodified, without the overhead of a traditional virtual machine or dual-boot setup.
Learn more
- What is the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)?
- What's new with WSL 2?
- Comparing WSL 1 and WSL 2
- Frequently Asked Questions
Get started
- Install WSL
- Install Linux on Windows Server
- Manual install steps
- Best practices for setting up a WSL development environment
Try WSL preview features by joining the Windows Insiders Program
To try the most recent features or updates to WSL, join the Windows Insiders Program. Once you have joined Windows Insiders, you can choose the channel you would like to receive preview builds from inside the Windows settings menu. You can choose from:
- Dev channel: Most recent updates, but low stability.
- Beta channel: Ideal for early adopters, more reliable builds than the Dev channel.
- Release Preview channel: Preview fixes and key features on the next version of Windows just before its available to the general public.
Team blogs
- Overview post with a collection of videos and blogs
- Command-Line blog (Active)
- Windows Subsystem for Linux Blog (Historical)
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