Install WSL — by Microsoft Learn

beginnerpageLink only (©)Windows 10 2004 (build 19041)+ and Windows 11

The official starting point for Windows Subsystem for Linux: one command installs the needed features and Ubuntu, and new installs default to WSL 2. It also covers choosing another distro, checking and switching WSL versions, and what to try if the install hangs.

Quick steps

Open PowerShell as administrator and run: wsl --install, then restart
List distros with wsl --list --online and install one with wsl --install -d <DistroName>
If it hangs at 0.0%, use wsl --install --web-download -d <DistroName>
Check versions with wsl -l -v; change with wsl --set-version <Distro> 2

Paraphrased from the source. Menus can differ by version, so check the original for full details.

Read the full article on learn.microsoft.com

Source: Install WSL by Microsoft Learn. Licence: Link only (©).

Source reviewed: 2026-11-02
Link checked: 2026-11-02
Tested hands-on: Not by Oddbyte.Me

wslwsl2linuxinstall

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