WSL Configuration Guide for Beginners: Setup, Settings & Best Practices

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows you to run Linux command-line tools and applications directly on Windows, making it an excellent tool for developers, system administrators, and tech enthusiasts. This beginner’s guide details how to install and configure WSL, compare WSL 1 and WSL 2, and optimize settings for efficient workflows. Expect to learn about post-install configurations, filesystem best practices, Docker usage, backup strategies, and security measures. By the end of this guide, you’ll be ready to set up a reliable WSL environment tailored to your development needs.

WSL Basics: WSL 1 vs WSL 2 and Key Concepts

Before you proceed with installation, it’s beneficial to understand the two main WSL architectures:

• WSL 1 translates Linux system calls into Windows system calls, offering tight integration with the Windows filesystem and lower overhead for simpler tasks.
• WSL 2 operates a real Linux kernel in a lightweight virtual machine (VM). This provides full syscall compatibility and improved performance for various workloads, particularly those using containers or native Linux features.

Key Terms:

• Distro: Your installed Linux distribution (e.g., Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora).
• Kernel: The Linux kernel utilized by WSL (WSL 2 features a Microsoft-managed Linux kernel).
• VM: The lightweight virtual machine used by WSL 2.
• Interop: The ability to execute Windows binaries from Linux and vice versa.
• \wsl$ Filesystem: Windows path-based access to your distro files.

Comparison Table:

When to Choose Which:

• Opt for WSL 2 for most development scenarios, especially if you utilize Docker or tools that require full Linux kernel behavior.
• Use WSL 1 when needing very fast Windows file access from Linux or when facing strict constraints on virtualization.

For more details, please refer to Microsoft’s WSL documentation.

Prerequisites and Preparation

Before installing WSL, ensure your system meets the following prerequisites:

• Supported Windows Versions: Modern Windows 10 builds (2004 and later) and Windows 11. For specific builds and requirements, check the official install docs: WSL Install Documentation.
• Virtualization: WSL 2 requires virtualization support. Confirm that Intel VT-x or AMD-V is enabled in your BIOS/UEFI.

Enable Required Windows Features

You can do this via Settings > Turn Windows features on or off, or via PowerShell/DISM. Example commands:

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

If you aim to automate Windows configuration (including enabling these features), refer to our guide on Windows automation with PowerShell.

Safety Tips for Beginners:

• Create a System Restore point or back up critical files before making low-level changes.
• Double-check virtualization settings and reboot your system if prompted.

Installing WSL and Choosing a Linux Distribution

The easiest method on Windows 10 (newer builds) and Windows 11 is executing the following command:

wsl --install

This command installs WSL, the latest WSL 2 kernel, and a default distribution (usually Ubuntu), then prompts for a restart. To install a specific distribution, use:

wsl --install -d ubuntu

Manual Installation Steps (Older Windows or Custom Steps):

1. Enable Windows features (see DISM commands above).
2. Install the latest WSL 2 Linux kernel update package if prompted, or run wsl --update after initial setup.
3. Install a distribution from the Microsoft Store (such as Ubuntu, Debian, or Fedora) or use wsl --import with a tarball.

List installed distributions and their status with:

wsl --list --verbose

Set a default distribution with:

wsl --set-default <DistroName>

Change a distribution’s WSL version with:

wsl --set-version <DistroName> 2

For a detailed step-by-step installation guide with screenshots and alternatives, see our in-depth article on Installing WSL on Windows and the official Microsoft guide at WSL Install Documentation.

Post-Install First-Run Steps (Inside Your Distro):

# Example for Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install -y build-essential curl git

During your first run, create a user and password for your distribution. Consider installing common developer tools (such as git and curl) and configuring SSH keys if you plan to push code to remote repositories. For more Ubuntu-specific guidance, visit Ubuntu on WSL.

Essential WSL Configuration After Install

Post-installation, configure both per-distro and global settings to align with your workflow.

Set WSL Version Per Distro:

This conversion may take time and can increase disk usage temporarily:

wsl --set-version <distro> 2

Set Default User:

Most distributions create a default user during the first run. To change this or to run commands as the root user, consult your specific distribution’s documentation. For Ubuntu, you can use:

ubuntu config --default-user <user>

or edit /etc/wsl.conf.

Configure Global WSL Settings:

Create a .wslconfig file in %USERPROFILE% to set global WSL settings (this only applies to WSL 2 VMs). An example configuration:

[wsl2]
memory=4GB
processors=2
swap=1GB
localhostForwarding=true

Save this file as:

• Windows path: %USERPROFILE%\.wslconfig

Changes in .wslconfig apply after restarting WSL with:

wsl --shutdown

Updating the WSL Kernel:

Regularly update your WSL 2 kernel. Use:

wsl --update

or follow Microsoft Learn’s guidance for updates: WSL Install Documentation.

Other Useful Commands:

wsl --status            # Shows WSL version and default distro info
wsl --shutdown          # Shuts down all WSL instances (useful after making .wslconfig changes)
wsl --list --verbose   # Lists distros and their WSL versions

Resource Tips:

• Constrain memory and CPU in .wslconfig if your machine’s resources are limited. Over-allocating can cause performance issues in Windows. For assistance with high resource usage, our Windows performance monitoring guide can provide insights.

Filesystem and Interoperability (Windows <-> Linux)

File location and performance are critical. WSL exposes Windows drives under /mnt, for example, /mnt/c/Users/<user>/projects.

Performance Best Practices:

• Store active projects inside your Linux home directory (e.g., /home/<user>/projects) for optimal Linux filesystem performance.
• Access files from Windows via the \\wsl$ share (e.g., \\wsl$\Ubuntu\home\user\projects) when using Windows editors.

Accessing files on /mnt/c from Linux can be slower due to cross-filesystem behavior; however, Windows tools can access the distro filesystem through \\wsl$ without copying files.

Interoperability Examples:

• Run a Windows binary from WSL:

/mnt/c/Windows/System32/notepad.exe README.md

• Run a WSL command from PowerShell:

wsl ls -la /home/<user>

IDE Workflow: Visual Studio Code’s Remote - WSL extension opens a workspace within WSL and runs the editor server inside the distro for efficient and consistent development. Learn more in the VS Code documentation and utilize this workflow for editing source code located inside the Linux filesystem.

Networking, Ports, and GUI Apps

WSL 2 operates inside a VM with its own IP address; however, Windows typically forwards localhost to WSL services in current Windows builds. Key considerations include:

• Localhost Access: Many services bound to localhost within WSL are accessible from Windows using localhost. If you experience issues, bind services to 0.0.0.0 to expose them on all interfaces.
• Expose Ports: To ensure external or host access, configure your app to listen on 0.0.0.0 and consider the necessary firewall rules if exposing services outside the machine.

If unexpected networking behavior arises, execute wsl --shutdown and restart to refresh the VM network.

GUI Apps

Windows 11 features WSLg, enabling GUI applications to run seamlessly within WSL and display on Windows. For older Windows 10 builds, you may utilize an X server (like VcXsrv) as an alternative.

For foundational knowledge on container networking as it relates to WSL and Docker, refer to our Container Networking Basics.

Working with Docker and Containers in WSL

Docker Desktop has a close integration with WSL 2, running containers in the WSL 2 backend while exposing the docker CLI within WSL distros:

• In Docker Desktop settings, enable WSL integration and select the distros for Docker availability.
• This allows you to run docker commands directly inside WSL without needing a separate Docker VM.

Example Workflow:

# Inside your WSL distro
docker run --rm -it -p 8080:80 nginx

Advanced Options:

Some users prefer running podman or setting up isolated container runtimes inside a distro. For comprehensive guidance on Docker Desktop and related enterprise options, check our complete integration guide on Windows Containers & Docker Integration and the official Docker documentation for WSL integration.

Backups, Import/Export, and Disk Management

Utilize wsl --export and wsl --import for backing up and migrating distros:

wsl --export <distro> backup.tar
wsl --import <NewName> <InstallLocation> backup.tar

This method reliably snapshots and transfers distros to different drives. For routine project backups, it’s preferable to use source control (like git) or cloud backup solutions rather than solely relying on distro exports.

WSL 2 manages VHDX files for disk images. To resize disks safely, the recommended approach for beginners is exporting, re-importing, or following official guidance—avoid manual VHDX editing unless comfortable with disk tools and backups.

Troubleshooting and Common Issues

Useful Diagnostic Commands:

wsl --status
wsl --list --verbose
wsl --shutdown
dmesg          # Inside the distro for kernel messages
journalctl     # If systemd-like logging is enabled in your distro

Common Problems and Solutions:

• Kernel Update Required: Run wsl --update or install the necessary package from Microsoft Learn.
• Installation Failed: Ensure required Windows features are enabled and that virtualization is activated in BIOS. Reboot as needed after activating these features.
• Networking Issues: Run wsl --shutdown and restart; ensure services are bound to the correct interface.
• Corrupt Distro: Export, uninstall, and re-import as necessary.

For system-level errors, check Windows Event Logs, and refer to our Windows Event Log Analysis Guide to interpret system-level causes.

When to Escalate:

For persistent issues related to Windows builds or drivers, consult Microsoft Learn troubleshooting pages and distro-specific forums (issues with Ubuntu on WSL often appear on Ubuntu or Microsoft issue trackers).

Security and Best Practices

Treat WSL distros as independent Linux machines:

• Regularly update packages: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
• Use non-root users for everyday tasks and utilize sudo when needed.
• Implement SSH keys rather than passwords for remote git and SSH operations.
• Be cautious about exposing services to public networks; ensure proper firewalls and authentication methods are in place.

Keep in mind: WSL operates alongside Windows, so ensure that Windows remains up-to-date and only run code from trusted sources. For integration with enterprise identity systems (such as LDAP), please refer to our LDAP Integration Guide for Linux Systems.

Next Steps and Resources

Suggested Beginner Projects:

• Set up a local web server (using Node/Express or Python Flask) and access it from Windows.
• Create a comprehensive development environment with VS Code Remote - WSL to build a simple application.
• Containerize a basic application and run it with Docker Desktop integrated into WSL.

Further Reading and Official Documentation:

• Microsoft WSL Docs
• Install WSL Guide
• Ubuntu on WSL

Internal Resources on This Site (Related):

• Install WSL on Windows — Guide
• Windows Automation with PowerShell
• Windows Containers & Docker Integration
• Container Networking Basics
• LDAP Integration on Linux Systems
• Windows Performance Monitoring
• Windows Event Log Analysis

To get started, try wsl --install on a test machine, follow the post-install tips, and if you seek step-by-step screenshots and an automated PowerShell script for setup, check our detailed install guide: Install WSL on Windows. If you found this guide valuable, consider downloading our WSL command cheat sheet or sharing questions in the comments.

Quick Cheatsheet (Commands)

# Install WSL (default)
wsl --install

# Install a specific distro
wsl --install -d ubuntu

# List and show versions
wsl --list --verbose
wsl --status

# Change distro version
wsl --set-version <distro> 2

# Set default distro
wsl --set-default <distro>

# Shutdown WSL to apply .wslconfig changes
wsl --shutdown

# Export/import distros
wsl --export <distro> backup.tar
wsl --import <distroName> <InstallLocation> backup.tar

# Update WSL kernel
wsl --update

# Enable features using DISM
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart

References

• Microsoft Learn — Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Documentation
• Microsoft Learn — Install WSL
• Ubuntu on WSL — Canonical

(A comprehensive internal guide linked throughout this article offers deeper how-tos and automation examples.)