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How to Install and Use the Linux Bash Shell on Windows 10

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Summary

Windows 10 now includes the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) which allows users to run Linux software directly on Windows. It is based on Microsoft's Project Astoria work for running Android apps on Windows and is not a virtual machine, container, or Linux software compiled for Windows. Microsoft worked with Canonical to offer a full Ubuntu-based Bash shell environment that runs atop this subsystem. It can run different Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, openSUSE Leap, and openSUSE Enterprise, with a remix of Fedora becoming available soon. To install it, the user must have the 64-bit version of Windows 10, turn on the Windows Subsystem for Linux feature in the Windows Features window, and then install a Linux distribution from the Microsoft Store. Once installed, users can use a Bash shell, along with apt or apt-get commands, to install software from Ubuntu’s repositories. They can also use the wsl command to launch their default Linux environment.

Q&As

What is Windows Subsystem for Linux?
Windows Subsystem for Linux is a feature in Windows 10 that allows users to run Linux software directly on Windows.

What are the different Linux distributions available for Windows 10?
The Linux distributions available for Windows 10 include Ubuntu, openSUSE Leap, openSUSE Enterprise, Debian, Kali, and a remix of Fedora.

What is the difference between WSL1 and WSL2?
WSL1 is based on Microsoft's abandoned Project Astoria work for running Android apps on Windows, while WSL2 runs a full Linux Kernel in an extremely efficient virtual machine.

How do I install Bash on Windows 10?
To install Bash on Windows 10, you need to enable the "Windows Subsystem for Linux" option in the Windows Features window, then restart your computer. You can then install a Linux distribution from the Microsoft Store.

How can I use the Bash shell and install Linux software?
To use the Bash shell and install Linux software, you can use the same Linux terminal commands you'd use to get around. To install and update software, you can use the apt command on Ubuntu or the zypper command on SUSE Linux distributions.

AI Comments

👍 This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to install and use the Linux Bash Shell on Windows 10. It is a great resource for anyone wanting to learn how to use the Linux command line.

👎 The article does not provide any clear instructions on how to install graphical Linux desktop applications or how to use WSL2.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about how to install and use the Linux Bash shell on Windows 10. It goes into detail about how WSL1 and WSL2 work, how to install Bash on Windows 10, how to use the Bash shell and install Linux software, and how to install the Ubuntu font for a true Ubuntu experience.

Friend: That's really interesting! It's great that Windows 10 now supports Linux distributions. What are the implications of this article?

Me: The implications are that Windows 10 users can now access the same Linux software that they would on a Linux-based system. This is beneficial for developers who rely on Linux software, but who also need to use Windows for certain tasks. It also gives more flexibility to users who might be accustomed to using both Windows and Linux environments. This could be a major shift in the computer industry, as it opens up more possibilities for those who are familiar with both operating systems.

Action items

Install the Windows Subsystem for Linux on your Windows 10 computer.
Explore the different Linux distributions available in the Windows Store and choose one to install.
Learn the basics of the Bash shell and the Linux command line, including how to install and update software using apt or zypper.

Technical terms

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL): A feature in Windows 10 that allows users to run Linux software directly on Windows.
Project Astoria: A Microsoft project that allowed users to run Android apps on Windows.
Wine: A software that allows users to run Windows applications directly on Linux.
Bash: A command-line shell used in Linux and other Unix-like operating systems.
Zsh: A command-line shell similar to Bash.
GNU: A free software project that provides a Unix-like operating system.
Linux Kernel: The core of the Linux operating system.
apt: A command-line tool used to install and manage software packages on Linux.
sudo: A command used to run a command with root permissions.
zypper: A command-line tool used to install and manage software packages on SUSE Linux.
bash -c: A command used to run a command in the Bash shell.