October 8, 2021

The new Windows 11 has brought remarkable changes to Windows Subsystem for Linux, and this is shown by how easy it is to install WSL and also the support for graphics and audio in WSL apps.

While Windows 10 build 2004 simplifies the installation process, Windows 11 follows this step and for those interested in installing WSL, they can do so by launching an elevated Command prompt (start – > type cmd – > click Run as Administrator) then type wsl -install at the command prompt.

While a simple wsl -install provides users with Hyper-V and other WSL basics along with the current version of Ubuntu, users can install as many distributions as they like, and do so by repeating wsl -list -online to list available options, and wsl -install -d distroname to install whatever they prefer.

Installing different distributions does not erase the first one, but creates a separate environment and allows users to run any number of them.

For more information, read the original story in Arstechnica.