- Run Linux GUI apps on the Windows Subsystem for Linux
- Install support for Linux GUI apps
- Prerequisites
- Fresh install — No prior WSL installation
- Existing WSL install
- Run Linux GUI apps
- Update the packages in your distribution
- Install Gnome Text Editor
- Install GIMP
- Install Nautilus
- Install VLC
- Install X11 apps
- Install Google Chrome for Linux
- Install Microsoft Edge browser for Linux
- Troubleshooting
- Feedback
- How to Run Linux on Windows 10
- Defining Bash
- Enabling Linux on Windows
- Use PowerShell
- Use Windows Features
- Downloading a Linux Distro
- Running Linux
Run Linux GUI apps on the Windows Subsystem for Linux
Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) now supports running Linux GUI applications (X11 and Wayland) on Windows in a fully integrated desktop experience.
WSL 2 enables Linux GUI applications to feel native and natural to use on Windows.
- Launch Linux apps from the Windows Start menu
- Pin Linux apps to the Windows task bar
- Use alt-tab to switch between Linux and Windows apps
- Cut + Paste across Windows and Linux apps
You can now integrate both Windows and Linux applications into your workflow for a seamless desktop experience.
Install support for Linux GUI apps
Prerequisites
- You will need to be on Windows 10 Build 19044+ or Windows 11 to access this feature.
- Installed driver for vGPU To run Linux GUI apps, you should first install the driver matching your system below. This will enable you to use a virtual GPU (vGPU) so you can benefit from hardware accelerated OpenGL rendering.
- Intel GPU driver
- AMD GPU driver
- NVIDIA GPU driver
Fresh install — No prior WSL installation
You can now install everything you need to run Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) by entering this command in an administrator PowerShell or Windows Command Prompt and then restarting your machine.
Once your machine has finished rebooting, installation will continue and you will be asked to enter a username and password. This will be your Linux credential for the Ubuntu distribution.
You’re now ready to begin using Linux GUI apps on WSL!
Existing WSL install
If you already have WSL installed on your machine, you can update to the latest version that includes Linux GUI support by running the update command from an elevated command prompt.
- Select Start, type PowerShell, right-click Windows PowerShell, and then select Run as administrator.
- Enter the WSL update command:
Linux GUI apps are only supported with WSL 2 and will not work with a Linux distribution configured for WSL 1. Read about how to change your distribution from WSL 1 to WSL 2.
Run Linux GUI apps
You can run the following commands from your Linux terminal to download and install these popular Linux applications. If you are using a different distribution than Ubuntu, it may use a different package manager than apt. Once the Linux application is installed, you can find it in your Start menu under the distribution name. For example: Ubuntu -> Microsoft Edge .
Support for GUI apps on WSL does not provide a full desktop experience. It relies on Windows desktop, so installing desktop-focused tools or apps may not be supported. To request additional support, you can file an issue in the WSLg repo on GitHub.
Update the packages in your distribution
Install Gnome Text Editor
Gnome Text Editor is the default text editor of the GNOME desktop environment.
sudo apt install gnome-text-editor -y
To launch your bashrc file in the editor, enter: gnome-text-editor ~/.bashrc
Install GIMP
GIMP is a free and open-source raster graphics editor used for image manipulation and image editing, free-form drawing, transcoding between different image file formats, and more specialized tasks.
Install Nautilus
Nautilus, also known as GNOME Files, is the file manager for the GNOME desktop. (Similar to Windows File Explorer).
sudo apt install nautilus -y
Install VLC
VLC is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player and framework that plays most multimedia files.
Install X11 apps
X11 is the Linux windowing system and this is a miscellaneous collection of apps and tools that ship with it, such as the xclock, xcalc calculator, xclipboard for cut and paste, xev for event testing, etc. See the x.org docs for more info.
sudo apt install x11-apps -y
To launch, enter the name of the tool you would like to use. For example:
Install Google Chrome for Linux
To install the Google Chrome for Linux:
- Change directories into the temp folder: cd /tmp
- Use wget to download it: sudo wget https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
- Get the current stable version: sudo dpkg -i google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
- Fix the package: sudo apt install —fix-broken -y
- Configure the package: sudo dpkg -i google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
To launch, enter: google-chrome
Install Microsoft Edge browser for Linux
Find information on how to install the Microsoft Edge browser for Linux using the command line on the Edge Insider site. Select Get instructions under the Command line installation section of the page.
To launch, enter: microsoft-edge
Troubleshooting
If you have any problem starting GUI applications please check this guide first: Diagnosing «cannot open display» type issues with WSLg
Feedback
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How to Run Linux on Windows 10
Linux users celebrated when it was reported that Bash shell was coming to Windows. And while it was not readily available to all users at first, the Windows 10 Creators Update made Linux on Windows more accessible.
Want to join in on the fun? Here’s how you can have Linux on Windows operating system without having to go through a virtual machine.
Defining Bash
Bash is basically a subsystem for Ubuntu. With Bash, you have a Linux system running inside Windows. It’s the very same Bash you’d find in Linux. You can use it to execute Linux commands without the need for a virtual machine or dual booting.
Using Bash shell, developers can experience Linux natively on a Windows machine.
Enabling Linux on Windows
There are two ways of enabling a Windows subsystem for Linux. One is through PowerShell and the other would be through Windows Features.
Use PowerShell
Search for PowerShell and run it as an administrator. Once open, type this command and press Enter after:
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux
You will be prompted to confirm by hitting Y or N. Press Y to proceed then reboot your computer. If it’s already installed, you won’t have to restart.
Use Windows Features
Use Search to look for a Control Panel application called Turn Windows Features On or Off.
Note: You can also get to the application by heading directly to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > Turn Windows Features On or Off.
Once open, go through the list of features until you find Windows Subsystem for Linux. Tick the box to enable the option.
The computer will run and apply some changes. After it’s done, you will be asked to restart your computer.
Downloading a Linux Distro
Windows should now be able to run Linux. Now you have to download a Linux distro like Ubuntu for Windows to enter Linux commands.
Simply head on over to the Microsoft Store and download the Linux distro of your choice. You need to be logged in to proceed.
There are multiple systems available, but we’ll install Ubuntu and use it throughout the rest of this post. The download will likely take a while because of the large file size.
Running Linux
The Linux system you installed will run like a regular Windows application. Open Ubuntu. It will perform a one-time installation. You will be able to use Ubuntu Linux faster the next time you open the application.
Once installed, you will be asked to enter a username and a password. Provide all the necessary information.
From here on out, you will be able to go through the directory as you would in Linux. You will need to use SUDO APT to run root commands. You can also use APT-GET, APT INSTALL, AND APT UPDATE. You’re pretty much free to do everything you can do in a Linux terminal.
One thing to remember is that the Windows files system will be located inside the MNT folder.
If you want to edit Windows files from the Linux system, you would have to enter CD MNT, do LS then enter CD C and another LS to locate all the files stored inside Windows. Enjoy Linux with Windows 10!
Christopher Jan Benitez is a freelance writer for hire who provides actionable and useful web content to small businesses and startups. In his spare time, he religiously watches professional wrestling and finds solace in listening to ’80s speed metal. Read Christopher’s Full Bio