---
title: "Install WSL2 on Windows 11"
description: "How to install Windows Subsystem Linux (WSL 2) on Windows 11"
author: "Oscar Barajas Tavares"
language: "en"
canonical: "https://gndx.dev/en/blog/instalar-wsl2-en-windows-11/"
datePublished: "2021-10-12T03:26:17.542Z"
dateModified: "2021-10-12T03:26:17.542Z"
categories: ["others"]
tags: ["Windows","Programming","resources"]
---

# Install WSL2 on Windows 11

> How to install Windows Subsystem Linux (WSL 2) on Windows 11

**Windows SubSystem Linux**, better known as WSL or WSL2, is a tool that allows **Windows 10** and **Windows 11** users to run GNU/Linux distributions without having to install additional third-party software or change operating systems. It currently supports GNU/Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Suse, among others that you can find in the application store.

![gndx install wsl2 on windows 11](https://arepa.s3.amazonaws.com/instalar-wsl2-windows-11.png)

The latest version of **Windows SubSystem Linux** is known as WSL2. Among the main features that WSL2 offers us are:

- Integration between Windows - GNU/Linux
- Instance Quick Start
- Managed VM
- Complete GNU/Linux kernel
- OS Compatibility

**WSL2** allows developers to run a GNU/Linux environment with most of its applications, utilities and command line access. Fundamental part to work with our projects written in JavaScript.

### How to Install WSL2 in Windows 11

With the recent release of Windows 11, we must configure our work environment, in my personal use as well as in my daily life as a Frontend Developer, I need to have an optimized work environment to work with JavaScript, execute programs from the terminal, among other important tasks.

The first thing we have to do is start the "**Windows Terminal**" application which is installed by default in Windows 11. (_Previously in Windows 10 we had to install it from the application store._).

1. Run **Windows Terminal** as administrator.
2. Run the command:

```bash
wsl --install
```

![install wsl2 on windows 11](https://arepa.s3.amazonaws.com/windows-terminal-gndx-instalar-wsl2.png)

Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the installation to finish.

3. Install a GNU/Linux distribution from those available in the Microsoft application store.

Distributions that I recommend using:

- [Ubuntu 20.04 LTS](https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9N9TNGVNDL3Q)
- [Debian GNU/Linux](https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9MSVKQC78PK6)

In my setup I use "**Ubuntu 20.04 LTS**" installed from "[Microsoft Store](https://www.microsoft.com/es-co/store/apps/windows)". (_You can install the GNU/Linux version of your choice._)

![install ubuntu 20.04 on windows 11](https://arepa.s3.amazonaws.com/instalar-ubuntu-windows-11.png)

4. Once installed, it is necessary to restart our computer to start the installation of Ubuntu and configure our user.

5. Run the Ubuntu application, a terminal will open in which we will follow the instructions and assign a username and password.

6. Once this process is finished you will be able to run Ubuntu from Windows Terminal.

![enter image description here](https://arepa.s3.amazonaws.com/windows-terminal-ubuntu-windows-11.png)

Windows 11 allows us to work much easier, with a friendlier installation and configuration with **Windows SubSystem Linux** and have a powerful development environment to work on our applications.

To conclude, I invite you to install my "[Custom theme for ZSH](https://gndx.dev/blog/tema-oh-my-zsh-gndx)" and the plug-ins that I use.

---

Fuente canónica: [https://gndx.dev/en/blog/instalar-wsl2-en-windows-11/](https://gndx.dev/en/blog/instalar-wsl2-en-windows-11/)
Autor: [Oscar Barajas Tavares](https://gndx.dev/en/about/)