How to Use the Linux Terminal on Windows 11

Even though GUI is the most common interface that enables better interaction between users and companies, few techies love to load Linux onto their Windows PC. The simple reason is Linux’s instant response to any command. Because Linux is a core contributor in the computer industry, it has a unique feature that provides faster response even than the latest GUI. Therefore, those users who want to use Linux Terminal on their Windows PC can do so.

However, it is imperative that you can run Linux commands on Windows. But before that, you need to make some settings to enable it. Additionally, you need a proper way to install your desired Linux distribution. Although Microsoft support provides instructions to install Windows Subsystem for Linux, it may not be enough. To address this deviation, we have prepared a guide that explains everything you need to know.

How to Use the Linux Terminal on Windows 11

Using terminals outside of Windows requires some preparation. Before we begin, it’s important to note that the only way to run Linux terminals on Windows is through the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). With Windows 11, WSL 2.0 was introduced, which allows you to run Linux applications alongside Windows.

CPU virtualization is a key requirement for emulating another operating system over Windows. It allows a single CPU to be divided into multiple sections. To check whether it is enabled or not, simply open your Windows 11 Task Manager, go to Performance, and ensure that the Virtualization feature is on. If it’s not enabled, enter the BIOS utility (press ESC at start-up, then press F10), go to Advanced Mode, select Intel VMX/SVM, enable them, save and exit, and restart the PC. Once you’ve met this requirement, you can move on to the steps to install WSL and a Linux distribution.

Note: If your PC came with Windows 11, the WSL feature will be enabled by default.

1. Open the Start menu and search for Windows Features.
2. Click on the Windows Features Turn off and On panel.
3. On the next screen, select the Windows Subsystem for Linux and click OK.
4. Click on Restart now to apply the changes.
5. Download the WSL kernel package from here.
6. Run the .msi installer you downloaded above and install it.
7. Open PowerShell as an administrator and run the command “dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart“.
8. Download Windows Subsystem for Linux from the Microsoft Store.
9. Under the Microsoft Store, search for Linux in the search bar.
10. Install your desired Linux distribution from there (we recommend Ubuntu).
11. Once it’s finished, you’re ready to use the Linux Terminal on Windows 11.

After that, simply open the Linux distribution and use the command you want. There are other options available for installing Linux Terminal, but we found this to be the most straightforward. We hope you can now easily boot up Linux terminals on your Windows 11 PC. Note that Linux Terminal only works when you have enabled the required settings as mentioned above. This is everything you need to know about using the Linux kernel on Windows 11. If you have any queries, feel free to ask them below.

>

class="wp-block-heading">Frequently Asked Questions