The Windows Subsystem for Linux is Microsoft’s official application for using Linux-based operating systems natively on Windows. If you run a GNU/Linux distribution on Windows such as Ubuntu or Debian, you need to install this compatibility layer. By running natively in the Windows kernel without the need for heavy emulation, its performance is nearly identical to running the operating system directly on your computer.

In the first release of the Windows Subsystem for Linux, you could only use the Linux terminal on Windows and not interact with the more user-friendly interface. However, since the release of WSL 2, it is now possible to run apps with the corresponding interface. This is very useful for both developers and other users as it allows them to test their code from within Windows comfortably without having to reboot and boot into another operating system.

Windows 10 2004 or later is required to be able to use the Windows Subsystem for Linux. Initially, this component was installed as an optional module of Windows Features, but since November 2022, it has been made available as a separate application that can be downloaded and updated, simplifying installation and use.

Therefore, if you want to use Linux natively on Windows, you need to download the Windows Subsystem for Linux on your computer.