Best Way to Run Linux on Windows 11: A Comprehensive Guide

In this blog, we’ll answer the question, “Can I use Linux on Windows 11?” The answer is yes! The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) can be activated on all versions of Windows 11 including Windows 10.

Here is a quick step guide on how to use Linux on Windows 11 operating system:

• Enable WSL: Open PowerShell as an administrator and run wsl –install.
• Choose a Distribution: Select a Linux distribution from the Microsoft Store (e.g., Ubuntu).
• Install the Distribution: Launch it from the Start menu and follow the installation prompts.
• Update and Upgrade: In the Linux terminal, run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade.
• Access Files: Access Windows files at /mnt/c/ in the Linux terminal.
• Install Software: Use package managers like apt to install additional software.
• Run Commands: Execute Linux commands directly in the terminal.
• Optional GUI: For a graphical interface, install a desktop environment or use WSLg for GUI apps.

Continue read the full blog as this is just overview of steps, further in the blog we have mentioned more effective methods with step-by-step instructions to Linux in Windows 11:

Why Use Linux on Windows 11 ?

Before jumping into the how to use Linux on windows 11, let’s discuss why you might want to use Linux on Windows 11. Here are a few reasons:  

• Powerful Command-Line Tools: Primarily, Linux offers efficient command-line tools for automation, system administration, and software development, often surpassing their Windows counterparts.

• Open-Source Software: Moreover, access a vast array of free, customizable, and secure open-source software for programming, data science, web development, and more.

• Customization and Control: Additionally, tailor your Linux environment to your preferences, gaining greater control over system settings and behavior.

• Security: Furthermore, known for its robust security features, Linux is a preferred choice for servers and critical systems, providing a more secure environment than Windows.

• Learning and Development: Ultimately, using Linux enhances your technical skills and understanding of operating systems, networking, and programming.

Also Check: How to enable overclocking in Monitor’s settings ?

How to use Linux on Windows 11 ?

There are three main ways to use Linux on a Windows 11 machine:

• Dual Boot: Firstly, install Linux alongside Windows.

• Virtual Machine: Secondly, run Linux inside a virtual machine.

• Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL): Lastly, install a Linux distribution within Windows.

Use Linux on Windows 11 using Dual Booting  

Dual booting involves installing Linux on a separate partition of your hard drive. Essentially, this method allows you to choose between Windows and Linux when you start your computer.

Benefits:

• Full performance of your hardware.

• Access to all Linux features.

Drawbacks:

• Requires partitioning your hard drive.

• Need to reboot to switch between operating systems.

Steps:

Backup Your Data

• First, before proceeding, ensure you back up your important data.

Create a Bootable USB Drive

• Next, download a Linux ISO file.

• Subsequently, use a tool like Rufus to create a bootable USB drive with the Linux ISO.

Partition Your Hard Drive

• Then, open Disk Management in Windows.

• Moreover, shrink your Windows partition to create space for Linux.

Boot from USB

• Following this, restart your computer and boot from the USB drive (you may need to change the boot order in BIOS/UEFI).

Install Linux

• Afterwards, follow the installation prompts, selecting the option to install Linux alongside Windows.

• Additionally, choose the partition you created for Linux.

Complete Installation

• Finally, once the installation is complete, you can choose between Windows and Linux at startup.

Using a Virtual Machine to run Linux on Windows 11 (WSL)

Notably, a virtual machine (VM) allows you to run Linux inside Windows, without the need to reboot. Specifically, software like VirtualBox or VMware can create and manage VMs.

Benefits:

• Easy to switch between operating systems.

• No need to partition your hard drive.

Drawbacks:

• Limited performance due to sharing resources with the host OS.

• Requires more system resources (RAM, CPU).

 Steps:

Install Virtualization Software

• Firstly, download and install virtualization software like VirtualBox or VMware Workstation Player.

Download a Linux ISO

• Secondly, go to the official website of your chosen Linux distribution (e.g., Ubuntu, Fedora) and download the ISO file.

Create a New Virtual Machine

• Then, open your virtualization software and create a new virtual machine.

• Moreover, select the downloaded Linux ISO as the boot disk.

Configure the Virtual Machine

• Following that, allocate resources (CPU, RAM, disk space) based on your system’s capabilities and the requirements of the Linux distribution.

Install Linux

• Afterward, start the virtual machine and follow the installation prompts to install Linux.

Use Linux

• Finally, once installed, you can run the virtual machine to use Linux alongside Windows 11.

Also Check: How do you clear the apps cache in Windows 11 ?

Use Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

WSL allows you to run a Linux environment directly within Windows without the need for a VM or dual boot. Specifically, it’s ideal for developers and those who need Linux command-line tools.

Benefits:

• Easy to set up.

• Seamless integration with Windows.

• Low resource usage.

Drawbacks:

• Limited to command-line interface (CLI).

• Not suitable for graphics-intensive applications.

How to Set Up WSL (Steps):

Enable WSL

• First, open PowerShell as an administrator.

Run the command:

• Next, wsl –install:  This command installs WSL and the default Linux distribution (usually Ubuntu).

Choose a Linux Distribution

• Then, after installation, you can choose a different distribution from the Microsoft Store (e.g., Ubuntu, Debian).

• Moreover, open the Microsoft Store, search for your preferred distribution, and click “Install.”

Launch the Distribution

• Following that, once installed, launch the distribution from the Start menu.

• Additionally, follow the prompts to complete the setup, including creating a user account.

Update and Upgrade

• Afterwards, open the Linux terminal.

• Subsequently, run the following commands to update and upgrade packages: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Access Windows Files

• Next, you can access your Windows files from the Linux terminal at /mnt/c/.

Install Additional Software

• Then, use package managers (like apt for Ubuntu) to install additional software as needed.

Run Linux Commands

• Following that, you can now run Linux commands and scripts directly in the terminal.

Optional: Use a GUI

• Finally, for a graphical interface, consider installing a desktop environment or using WSLg for GUI applications.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Dual Boot Issues

• GRUB Not Showing Up: Initially, if GRUB doesn’t appear at startup, you might need to change your BIOS settings or repair GRUB.

• Partition Errors: Moreover, Be careful when partitioning your drive to avoid data loss. Use tools like GParted if needed.

Virtual Machine Issues

• Performance Lag: Primarily, if your VM is slow, try allocating more resources or enabling virtualization in your BIOS settings.

• Screen Resolution: Additionally, install Guest Additions or Tools to optimize your VM’s display settings.

WSL Issues

• WSL Not Installing: First, ensure your Windows version supports WSL and that virtualization is enabled in your BIOS.

• Missing Features: Furthermore, remember that WSL is primarily for CLI tasks. For a full desktop experience, consider dual booting or using a VM.

Also Check: How to disable MS store in Windows 8.1 ?

Conclusion

Notably, using Linux on Windows 11 is not only possible but also provides a versatile computing environment.

Specifically, whether you’re a developer looking for powerful tools, a user seeking a secure OS, or someone eager to learn, there’s a method that fits your needs.

Fundamentally, dual boot for full performance, virtual machine for flexibility, or WSL for seamless integration—the choice is yours.

No matter which method you choose, remember to back up your data before making major changes to your system.  

Source: [ howtogeek, reddit, microsoft, quora ]

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