Hello! The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) has been a great idea from Microsoft. Indeed, it allows us to be able to run a Linux environment without having to use a virtual machine. It certainly represents a huge advantage. Well, WSL is now integrated into the Windows 11 App Store, and we will see how to use it. However, having a Linux subsystem running on Windows is something we have already seen before the arrival of Windows 11. Recall that WSL, we already use it on Windows 10 since it arrived in 2019. Consequently, it is nothing new in the Redmond operating system. Therefore, today we will see how to install the Windows subsystem for Linux. To say that in appearance, it is simpler to do than in Windows 10.

What is the Windows Subsystem for Linux?

The Windows Subsystem for Linux allows us to run a GNU/Linux environment directly on the Windows operating system. In addition, it is not necessary to use a virtual machine or a dual boot configuration. On the other hand, it includes most of the command line tools, utilities, or applications. Some things we can do in this subsystem are:

• Run common command line tools.
• Run Bash shell scripts and GNU/Linux command line applications, such as:
• Using vim, emacs, tmux tools.
• Different languages like NodeJS, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, C/C++, C# & F#, Rust, Go, etc.
• Some services like SSHD, MySQL, Apache, lighttpd, MongoDB, PostgreSQL.
• Install additional software via GNU/Linux distribution package manager.
• Invoke Windows applications via a UNIX-like command line shell in addition to other GNU/Linux applications on Windows.

Windows Subsystem for Linux on Microsoft Store

Certainly, the Windows Subsystem for Linux has been around for years. However, the fact that it is now an application belonging to the Microsoft Store gives it an element of officialdom. In addition, it will be upgradable like any other app, which will bring long-term benefits. This official element contrasts with what we have been using recently. In effect, it is an additional feature of Windows that we had to install externally, although it was simple. To summarize, now the Windows Subsystem for Linux is official. Consequently, it has to be treated as any application belonging to the Microsoft Store.

How to install Windows Subsystem for Linux on Windows 11

But let’s get to the heart of the matter. We all want to know what this is all about. Indeed, we will learn how to install the Linux subsystem. Kindly note that this application is now available from the Microsoft Store. Consequently, the first steps will be much easier than before, since this is just another app. However, before getting into the subject, a couple of prerequisites must be met.

• The first is that we are running Windows 11 Windows build 22000 or higher. We can check which build we are running by pressing the Win+R combination. Then run winver and check the version.

• In addition, we must have the Virtual Machine Platform component enabled.

If the Virtual Machine Platform is not enabled, you can always start it using PowerShell. With this in mind, we will do the following.

• We put PowerShell in the search bar of the Start menu.
• When it comes up, we right-click and select Run as administrator.
• Now is when we must type the following command:

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart

As a result, we can now go to the Microsoft Store. Once there, enter this in the search engine: Windows Subsystem for Linux Preview.

After the results are displayed, just click on Get. After a few moments, we will be ready to start using it.

From here on, we will be able to have the Linux associated to our Windows 11, in the same way that it worked in Windows 10. However, being an app, Microsoft has taken the opportunity to add something new to it.

WSL in Windows 11

Actually, the Windows Subsystem for Linux for Windows 11 does have some new features. They are not many, but they are worth a try. On the other hand, you should know that now it will have updates from time to time. These updates will respect all the information that is given in the application, that is to say, like any other program. Some new things about Windows Subsystem for Linux in Windows 11 version are:

• The WSLg, or Windows subsystem for the Linux GUI, is now integrated with the application.
• The WSL Linux kernel is updated to version 5.10.60.1.
• A new progress indicator
• With a new command, we will be able to see the version information.

In any case, there is another way to find out all the news. If you want to find out what changes this version brings to the Microsoft Store, please check here.

An exclusive application for Windows 11.

There is bad news for Windows 10 users. For the moment, this WSL app in the Microsoft Store is only available for Windows 11 users. When Microsoft announced the arrival of this app, it did not comment on Windows 10 at any time. Consequently, it is likely that if the feature does arrive, it will not happen soon.

We are at the beginning of the distribution of Windows 11. Consequently, it does not seem likely that Microsoft will put any of its time and effort into an app for a system that it wants to be left behind and convince all the undecided to install the new one. For this reason, we think that it is not likely that Windows Subsystem for Linux will appear in the store for Windows 10 users. Beyond that, we’ve learned how to install the Windows subsystem for Linux on Windows 11. Bye!

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Prerequisites

Windows 10 2004 or higher

As we have mentioned, to use this functionality it is necessary to enable WSL. We have explained those steps in this post. However, this time we will use the most recent version that corresponds to WSL2. For this we will use the PowerShell with administrator privileges. With this intention, press the Win+X combination and select the following option:

Please copy and execute the commands strictly:

Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux

Now, reboot the computer and once again from a PowerShell with administrator privileges the following commands:

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

Once the computer is restarted. Back to the system, it is necessary to manually update the Linux Kernel in order to use WSL2. Don’t worry, just download and install this file. Now we only have to activate WSL2 by default for the Linux instances in the system. With this intention, once again from the console with administrator privileges, run the following command:

wsl --set-default-version 2

And that’s it. WSL2 is now enabled to install Kali Linux.

What is the most attractive thing about Kali Linux, the GNU/Linux distribution specialized in ethical hacking.

Kali Linux is one of the most complete ethical hacking distributions we can find. Additionally, it is a Debian-based distro and comes with a large collection of ethical hacking and security programs. Consequently, it is possible to carry out all kinds of security tests and audits. The usual thing is to have Kali Linux installed on a computer. Likewise, having it in a USB memory stick to load it when we need to use it. It can even be loaded from a virtual machine. However, through WSL2 we will use it differently. Since it allows 3 different modes of use.

• Accessing the tools from Bash with CMD
• Window Mode. Which allows you to run a Kali Linux graphical interface in a new window, like a virtual machine.
• Seamless Mode. A mode that places the Kali taskbar on top of the desktop. Which allows you to open programs in windows that run next to those of Windows.

Additionally, Kali Linux on Windows 10 supports sound, root session and multiple user sessions. It even allows clipboard sharing by copy and paste between Windows and Kali applications. Sounds great, doesn’t it? But the most interesting thing is being able to convert Windows 10 as a hacking system by installing Kali Linux.

Installing Kali Linux on Windows 10

After configuring the computer, just download and install Kali Linux from this link. You will be immediately redirected to the Microsoft Store. Please click on Get to start the download and installation. Then you must complete the initial setup of the distro. Additionally, it is required to add the username and password. The final result will be as in this picture:

Preparing the system to use the graphical mode of Kali Linux in Windows 10.

The first thing you have to do is update the software lists and updates. With this in mind, from bash execute the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Now, the next step will be to install Win-KeX. This is the tool that allows you to run a graphical environment over WSL. Consequently, Kali Linux runs in the same way as a physical device. To do so, please run the following command.

sudo apt update && sudo apt install kali-win-kex

The wizard will download, install and configure all the necessary packages. In addition, this process can take a while and take up almost 2 GB of hard disk space. After finishing the process, we are ready to use Kali Linux in graphic mode.

How to open Kali Linux in Window Mode.

In this mode, Kali will run the desktop within a single window. Consequently, Linux will be isolated from Windows elements. This is the closest to mounting it in a virtual machine. To open this mode, the command to be executed is:

kex --win -s

Please note, that you can enter the options by pressing the F8 key.

Open Kali Linux in Seamless mode

This mode allows you to view Kali’s windows as if they were elements of Windows on the current desktop. Even with the bar on top of everything. Consequently, run the following command:

kex --sl -s

In this way we have seen how to use Windows 10 as a hacking system by installing Kali Linux. You know, now you have the best of every ecosystem in one operating system.

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Prerequisite. Enable WSL.

As mentioned above, it is necessary to enable WSL in order to enjoy Ubuntu within Windows. Well, this is a tool that allows you to install environments that look and behave like Linux within Windows. To know how to enable it, please check our post about Bash on Windows 10. Alternatively, it is also possible to enable this feature using Power Shell. With this in mind, press the Win+X combination and run PowerShell with administrator privileges.

Then execute the following command:

Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux 

Press enter and wait a few moments while the feature is enabled. Press Yes, to reboot the system and complete the operation.

Download Ubuntu 20.04 LTS from the Microsoft Store

Once the system is restarted, we are ready to download Ubuntu 20.04 from the Microsoft store. It arrived at the store in July 2017 as well as other districts such as Fedora or SUSE. It arrived at the store in July 2017 as well as other districts such as Fedora or SUSE. This allows you to run an Ubuntu console from Windows. Consequently, you have tools like git, ssh, apt, and bash. However, this distribution is constantly being updated and is currently at version 20.04. Also, this version is already available in the Microsoft Store. You will be immediately redirected to the Microsoft Store. Please press Get and wait a few moments while the app is downloading.

Once downloaded, just look for the tile in the home menu. Or alternatively, open a CMD and type ubuntu2004.

The first time you launch the app, the installation will begin. But don’t worry, this will only be the first time. You also have to set up the username and password. To find out how to do this, see our guide

Conclusion

At the end of the day, we have seen how to install Ubuntu 20.04 LTS in Windows 10. From now on, you can enjoy the features of Linux without leaving Windows. All right, that’s it for now. I hope you enjoyed this post. See you later!

The post How to install Ubuntu 20.04 LTS on Windows 10 appeared first on Linux Windows and android Tutorials.

How to enable the Windows Subsystem for Linux

WSL is a feature that allows Windows 10 users to use the Bash of the available Linux distribution. In addition, WSL provides a Linux-compatible kernel interface developed by Microsoft. Also, we can have the typical Linux directories like Home or Bin in Windows and the Windows directories in Linux bash. But maybe the most relevant aspect is to be able to use Bash commands inside Windows without the need to resort to a virtual machine. Well, let’s see how to enable this system. In the first place, follow this path to enter the optional features of Windows. Control Panel>Programs>Turn windows features on or off

In the box below, scroll down to find Windows Subsystem for Linux. Please check the appropriate box.

Wait a few seconds while the features are installed. Then restart the computer to confirm the changes.

Download and Install Ubuntu 18.04 LTS

Once the configuration is enabled, just go to the Windows Store and download the available distro. At the moment the following options are ready for download: Ubuntu, Kali, Open Suse Leap 15-1, Debian and Alpine WSL. Undoubtedly in the future more will be added. Well, this time we will use Ubuntu 18.04 LTS. You can download it from this link. Press Get and wait while the program downloads.

Once the download is complete, you can launch the program from the same store. Or you can also type Ubuntu from the Windows search engine. Please wait a few moments while the installation is completed. Then assign any user name and add a password.

Using Ubuntu for the first time

Once the preparations have been made, it’s time to test the operation of Ubuntu. With this intention, update the list of packages in the repositories by running the following command:

 sudo apt-get update 

Then type the password and press enter. Immediately the ubuntu bash will start working.

Well, finally we’ve seen how to install and use bash in Windows 10. From this moment on, just type Ubuntu in the search bar to launch the app. Before I say goodbye, I invite you to see our post about Microsoft employees infected with COVID-19. Bye

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Introduction

First, let’s try to put into simple words what is WSL. What it does is integrate a GNU/Linux environment on Windows 10. It does not work with virtualization, on the contrary, the calls to the system are translated in real-time. It implements the Linux kernel API using the native Windows NT API. In other words, what Wine does in a GNU/Linux system, but vice versa. It does not incorporate the graphical interface of the distro Linux, but it does include its most powerful tool which is the bash command interpreter.

Enabling Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). Graphic mode.

In the first place, we have to prepare the system to be able to run Linux. And this is because this function is not activated by default. With this in mind, follow the next path: Control Panel>Programs>Turn windows features on or off

In the following box navigate to Windows Subsystem for Linux and select the checkbox to activate it. Then press OK to start the installation.

Once the system locates the necessary files for the installation, it will ask us to restart Windows to execute the changes.

Enabling Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). PowerShell mode

If you want to practice your command-line skills, you can activate this Windows function using PowerShel. You have to run it with administrator privileges. With this intention, press the Win+X combination and select Windows PowerShell(Admin).

In the console, you need to add the following command:

Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux 

The PowerShell should look this way:

Installing Ubuntu 18.04 LTS

Once the machine is restarted, we just need to go to Microsoft Store and download some of the distro Linux available. For now, there are Ubuntu, OpenSuse, and CentOs, but no doubt there will be more in the future. For the purposes of this article, we will work with Ubuntu 18.04 LTS. Just press Get and wait until the installation is ready.

When the download is finished, we can launch the application. Just wait a few minutes while it is installed. Please choose your username (not necessarily the same as windows). Then assign a password, confirm it and the installation will be complete.

Testing Ubuntu in Windows 10

to access the application, just type Ubuntu in the search bar, and click on the program. once there it is enough to apply any valid command in Linux. In this example, we are going to update the list of packages in the repositories. To do this type the following command:

sudo apt-get update

Just enter the password, and you’ll see the Ubuntu shell in action!

Conclusion

We have seen how to install bash on Windows 10. This is a very interesting option for programmers. The Windows Subsystem for Linux allows users to execute bash commands such as grep, sed, and awk, as well as bash scripts and command-line Linux applications such as vim, emacs, and tmux. You will also have access to languages such as Javascript and node.js, Ruby, Python and C/C+, as well as services such as sshd, MySQL, Apache and Lighttpd. All right, that’s it for now, please share on your social networks and visit our post about Mobile Hotspot on Windows 10.

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