Installing Elementary OS On WSL2 A Comprehensive Guide

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Hey everyone! Are you looking to install elementary OS on WSL2 but want to ditch the virtual machines and dual-booting? You've come to the right place! This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, making it super easy to get elementary OS up and running within your Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 environment. Let's dive in!

Understanding WSL2 and Why It's Awesome

Before we jump into the installation, let's quickly chat about WSL2. WSL2, or Windows Subsystem for Linux 2, is a game-changer for developers and Linux enthusiasts who love working within Windows. Unlike its predecessor, WSL1, which used a translation layer, WSL2 runs a real Linux kernel inside a lightweight virtual machine. This means improved performance, better system call compatibility, and a more seamless Linux experience overall. It's like having a full-fledged Linux environment without the overhead of traditional virtualization or the hassle of dual-booting. You guys get the best of both worlds!

Benefits of Using WSL2

  • Performance Boost: WSL2 offers significantly faster file system performance and system call compatibility compared to WSL1. This translates to a snappier and more responsive Linux experience.
  • Full Linux Kernel: Running a real Linux kernel ensures better compatibility with Linux applications and tools.
  • Resource Efficiency: WSL2 is designed to be lightweight, consuming fewer system resources than traditional virtual machines.
  • Seamless Integration: You can easily access your Windows files from within the Linux environment and vice-versa, making it incredibly convenient to work across both operating systems.
  • Developer-Friendly: WSL2 is a boon for developers, providing a robust environment for building, testing, and deploying Linux-based applications.

Why Elementary OS on WSL2?

Elementary OS is a beautiful, fast, and open-source Linux distribution based on Ubuntu. It's known for its clean design, intuitive user interface, and focus on privacy and security. If you're a fan of macOS's aesthetics but prefer the freedom and flexibility of Linux, elementary OS might just be your perfect match. Running it on WSL2 allows you to enjoy this fantastic operating system within your Windows environment without the need for dual-booting or resource-intensive virtual machines. It's a seamless, efficient, and elegant solution for anyone wanting the elementary OS experience on Windows.

Prerequisites: Getting Ready for Elementary OS

Okay, before we start the installation process, let’s make sure you have everything you need. This will ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience. Think of it as gathering your tools before starting a big project – it saves you time and frustration in the long run!

1. Enable WSL2

The first and most crucial step is to ensure that WSL2 is enabled on your Windows machine. If you haven't already, follow these steps:

  1. Check Windows Version: Make sure you're running Windows 10 version 1903 or higher, or Windows 11. You can check your version by pressing Win + R, typing winver, and hitting Enter.
  2. Enable WSL Feature:
    • Open PowerShell as Administrator.
    • Run the following command: Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux
  3. Enable Virtual Machine Platform:
    • In the same PowerShell window, run: Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName VirtualMachinePlatform
  4. Restart Your Computer: This is crucial for the changes to take effect.

2. Set WSL 2 as Default

Next, we need to set WSL 2 as the default version. This ensures that any new Linux distributions you install will use the WSL 2 architecture. Here’s how:

  1. Open PowerShell as Administrator again.

  2. Run the following command: wsl --set-default-version 2

    • If you encounter an error saying that the specified version was not found, you might need to install the WSL 2 Linux kernel update package. You can download it from the official Microsoft documentation.

3. Install a Linux Distribution (Ubuntu Recommended)

While we’re aiming to install elementary OS, it's best practice to have a base Linux distribution installed on WSL 2. Ubuntu is a popular and well-supported choice, making it an excellent starting point. Here’s how to install it:

  1. Open the Microsoft Store.
  2. Search for “Ubuntu” and choose your preferred version (e.g., Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04).
  3. Click “Get” and then “Install.”
  4. Once installed, launch Ubuntu. It will prompt you to create a user account and password. Remember these, as you'll need them later.

4. Download and Install VcXsrv Windows X Server

Since elementary OS has a graphical user interface (GUI), we need an X server to display it within Windows. VcXsrv is a popular and reliable option. Here’s how to get it:

  1. Download VcXsrv from SourceForge (https://sourceforge.net/projects/vcxsrv/).
  2. Install VcXsrv with the default settings. You can leave all the options as they are during the installation process.

5. Configure the Windows Firewall

To allow VcXsrv to communicate with WSL 2, you might need to configure the Windows Firewall. Here’s how:

  1. Open Windows Defender Firewall by searching for it in the Start Menu.
  2. Click on “Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall.”
  3. Click “Change settings.”
  4. Find “VcXsrv windows xserver” in the list and ensure that both “Private” and “Public” are checked.
  5. If you don’t see VcXsrv, click “Allow another app…”, browse to the VcXsrv installation directory (usually C:\Program Files\VcXsrv), and select xlaunch.exe.
  6. Click “Add” and then make sure the checkboxes are checked.

Step-by-Step: Installing Elementary OS on WSL2

Alright, with all the prerequisites out of the way, we're now ready to dive into the exciting part: installing elementary OS on WSL2! Follow these steps carefully, and you'll have a fully functional elementary OS environment in no time. This process might seem a little technical, but trust me, it's totally doable, and the end result is worth it!

1. Open Ubuntu on WSL2

First things first, launch the Ubuntu distribution you installed from the Microsoft Store. This will open a terminal window where we'll be running most of our commands. This is our base camp for the installation, so let’s get cozy!

2. Update and Upgrade Packages

It's always a good idea to start with a fresh set of packages. This ensures that you have the latest versions and dependencies. Run the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

The sudo apt update command refreshes the package lists, while sudo apt upgrade -y upgrades the installed packages to their latest versions. The -y flag automatically answers