🐧 Install Linux on Your Old Windows 10 (WSL2 Tutorial)
Learn how to install Linux on your old Windows 10. Essentially running Linux on Windows.
In this video, I show you how to install Linux on your Windows 10 machine using WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux). No virtual machines, no dual booting, no complicated setup—just a simple, lightweight Linux environment running right alongside Windows.
📌 Steps Covered
1. Check Your Windows Version
Press Windows Key + R, type winver, and hit Enter
You need Windows 10 version 2004 or higher (or Windows 11)
2. Install WSL with One Command
Open PowerShell as Administrator
Run:
wsl --install
This automatically enables WSL, installs the Linux kernel, and sets up Ubuntu
3. Restart Your Computer
Once the command finishes, restart your PC to complete the installation
4. Complete the Linux Setup
After restart, search for "Ubuntu" in the Start menu and launch it
Wait for the installation to finish
Create a username and password (password will not show on screen while typing)
5. Update Your Linux System
In the Ubuntu terminal, run:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
📁 Accessing Your Files
From Windows Navigate to \\wsl$\Ubuntu in File Explorer
From Linux Your Windows drives are located in /mnt/c, /mnt/d, etc.
💻 Developer Tip
Install Visual Studio Code with the WSL extension, then from your Ubuntu terminal type:
code .
VS Code will open fully integrated with your Linux environment.
🔧 Commands Used
Install WSL
wsl --install
Check installed distributions and WSL version
wsl --list --verbose
Update Linux packages
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
⚠️ Requirements
Requirement Details
Windows 10 version 2004+ (Build 19041+) or Windows 11
System Architecture 64-bit processor
RAM 4GB minimum (8GB recommended)
🔗 Related Resources
Microsoft WSL Documentation
VS Code WSL Extension
💬 Have Questions?
Drop a comment below and I'll help you out!
Image Source:
Debian logo from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Kali logo from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Linux logo from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Microsoft logo from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Ubuntu logo from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
WSL2 logo from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
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