Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Setup

With Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), you can run a Linux distribution alongside your Windows installation, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up WSL, installing Python, and running Python scripts in a WSL environment.

Microsoft maintains the current installation guidance in the WSL documentation.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

• A Windows 10 (version 2004 and higher) or Windows 11 system.
• Basic knowledge of command-line interfaces.

Step 1: Installing WSL

First, you need to install WSL on your Windows machine. Follow these steps:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator:

   Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell as Administrator.

2. Enable WSL:

    wsl --install
   

   This command will enable the necessary features and install a default Linux distribution (usually Ubuntu). Restart your computer if prompted.

3. Verify Installation:

   After restarting, open a new PowerShell window and check the WSL version:

    wsl -l -v
   

   You should see your installed Linux distribution listed.

Step 2: Setting Up a Linux Distribution

If you installed the default Ubuntu distribution, you can proceed with setting it up. If you want to install a different distribution, follow these steps:

1. List Available Distributions:

    wsl --list --online
   

2. Install a Distribution:

    wsl --install -d <DistributionName>
   

   Replace <DistributionName> with the name of the distribution you want to install.

3. Launch and Set Up the Distribution:

   Open your installed distribution from the Start menu or by typing wsl in PowerShell. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your username and password.

Step 3: Installing Python

Now that you have your Linux distribution set up, you can install Python.

1. Update Package List:

   Open your WSL terminal and run:

    sudo apt update
   

2. Install Python:

    sudo apt install python3 python3-pip python3-venv
   

3. Verify Installation:

   Check the installed Python version:

    python3 --version
   

Step 4: Creating a Virtual Environment

Create an isolated environment for a project:

mkdir hello-python
cd hello-python
python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate

Step 5: Running a Python Script

Let’s create and run a simple Python script to ensure everything is working correctly.

1. Create a Python Script:

   In your WSL terminal, create a new file:

    nano hello.py
   

   Add the following content:

    print("Hello, WSL!")
   

   Save and exit the editor (Ctrl + X, then Y, then Enter).

2. Run the Script:

   Execute the script using Python:

    python3 hello.py
   

   You should see the output Hello, WSL!.

Conclusion

By following this guide, you’ve set up WSL on your Windows machine, installed a Linux distribution, and successfully installed and run Python. This setup allows you to leverage the power of Linux development tools while working within your Windows environment. Explore further by installing additional Python packages, setting up virtual environments, and developing your projects in this flexible setup.

If WSL does not install or a distribution will not start, follow Troubleshoot WSL Installation and Startup Problems before making larger system changes.