Running linux software on Windows would be convenient if it were seamless. Turns out it is, via the workaround of installing a miniature Linux distro supported by Windows APIs.
There are two flavours, WSL1 and WSL2, which have different technology, the distinction between which has been written about in various places, and I am hoping I do not need to care about.
tl;dr; everyone is using WSL2 now. We have always been at war with WSL1.
Installation
Classic install procedures (although really, just google this):
- Install WSL on Windows 10.
- As a Linux person I find the Ubuntu explanation enlightening to understand what the previous line did.
Invocation
After installing an Ubuntu distro I have an ubuntu.exe command. Cute!
But slightly confusing.
The wsl command can launch many different distros, and even launch into particular apps.
This one is a favourite of mine.:
wsl fishCompatible terminals
Windows and linux use different terminal conventions. Blech. It can be slightly less grating to use a terminal which can run linux or windows programs. I use Cmder.
GUI
You need an X server. Also I suspect this is not technically supported?
- Cheap commercial X-server: X410
- Open source alternative: VcXsrv Windows X Server download
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