How to install Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 on Windows 10

On Windows 10 2004, Microsoft is introducing Windows Subsystem for Linux version 2 (WSL 2), a new version of the architecture that allows Linux to run on native Windows 10 (using a lightweight virtual machine) and Finally replace WSL 1.

In the new version, this feature running the Linux kernel will actually improve application performance and compatibility compared to the previous version, while maintaining the same experience as the first version.

Although the second version of Windows Subsystem for Linux is expected to be released alongside the 2004 version of Windows 10, the April 2020 update, if you are a Windows Insider Program participant, you can activate it. experience in the latest preview of Windows 10.

In this tutorial, TipsMake.com will guide you through the steps to install Windows Subsystem for Linux on Windows 10 2004 version.

How to install WSL2 on Windows 10 version 2004

Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 is integrated into Windows 10, but you need to follow a few steps to start using it, including enabling WSL1, Virtual Machine Platform, converting existing releases, and making WSL2 optional New default for future Linux installations.

Activate Windows Subsystem for Linux 1

If you haven't used Linux on Windows 10, you must activate Windows Subsystem for Linux version 1 with the following steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search Turn Windows features on or off and click on the top result to open the experience.

3. Check the Windows Subsystem for Linux option .

Check the option of Windows Subsystem for Linux

4. Click the OK button .

5. Click the Restart button .

When you complete the steps, you need to enable the Virtual Machine Platform feature. According to Microsoft, this is an optional step, but without enabling virtualization, you cannot use the new architecture.

Activate Virtual Machine Platform

To turn on the Virtual Machine Platform on Windows 10, follow these steps:

Important note : The motherboard and processor must support virtualization, and the option must be enabled on the BIOS / UEFI.

1. Open Start.

2. Search for PowerShell , right-click on the top result and select the option Run as administrator .

3. Enter the following command to enable the Virtual Machine Platform feature and press Enter :

 Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName VirtualMachinePlatform 

Turn on the Virtual Machine Platform feature

4. Restart the computer.

After completing the steps, you can set up Windows Subsystem for Linux version 2 for the new default architecture and switch existing releases.

Activate Windows Subsystem for Linux 2

To start using WSL 2 or converting WSL 1 distributions into WSL 2, follow these steps:

1. Download this WSL 2 kernel update (required).

2. Double-click the file wsl_update_x64.msi and apply the update.

3. Open Start.

4. Open PowerShell as admin.

5. Enter the following command to make Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 the default architecture for new releases that you install and press Enter :

 wsl --set-default-version 2 

Make Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 the default architecture

6. Enter the following command to convert the distribution from WSL 1 to WSL 2 and press Enter :

 wsl --set-version Ubuntu 2 

Convert the distribution from WSL 1 to WSL 2

7. In the command, make sure to change Ubuntu to the name of the distribution you want to convert. If you don't know the name, you can use the command wsl -l -v .

Once you complete the steps, your device will start using the new version of Windows Subsystem for Linux as the default architecture.

Verify distribution platform

To confirm that your distributions are using Windows Subsystem for Linux 2, follow these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Open PowerShell as admin.

3. Enter the following command to verify the version of the distribution and press Enter :

 wsl --list --verbose 

4. Verify the distribution version has been set to 2 .

Verify distribution platform

After completing the steps, you will know whether the process has been successfully implemented or whether any steps need to be fixed.