WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux)

WSL is a feature of Windows that allows you to run Linux distributions directly on Windows. This provides a real Linux environment on Windows.

🛠️ WSL Installation (Windows 10/11)

1. Open PowerShell or CMD as Administrator

2. Run the following command to install WSL:

   wsl --install
   

3. Install a Linux distribution (e.g., Ubuntu):

   wsl --install -d Ubuntu
   

   This will install WSL and a Linux distribution. Wait for the process to complete.

4. Restart your computer when prompted.
5. Open the “Ubuntu” application from the Start menu.
6. You can now use Linux commands like apt, bash, wormhole, git, curl, nano, etc.

🚀 Benefits of WSL

• ✅ Real Linux terminal
• ✅ Package management with apt
• ✅ Tools like bash, ssh, curl, nano, vim
• ✅ Easy file sharing between Windows and Linux
• ✅ Doesn’t affect your Windows installation

Example Commands

apt update
snap install wormhole

Accessing Windows Files

/mnt/c/Users/$USER/Desktop

Example: Sending Files with Wormhole

wormhole send /mnt/c/Users/$USER/Desktop/example.txt

📌 Summary

• 📦 WSL installs like a regular program and doesn’t modify system settings

• 🗑️ You can uninstall it anytime:

  wsl --unregister <distro>  # e.g., wsl --unregister Ubuntu
  

Or disable it via Windows Features.