Tag: Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Blog Archives: Includes useful tips for exploring WSL, written by a Microsoft SQL Server Database Administrator.


  • How to Install PowerShell on Ubuntu 20.04

    This guide will walk you through installing PowerShell on Ubuntu 20.04. I’m doing this on Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), and have not encountered any compatibility issues with the PowerShell & Ubuntu combo. For the latest updates on PowerShell installation, version compatibility, and support dates, refer to MS…

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  • How to Reboot WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux)

    To restart WSL simply, run wsl –shutdown to stop your WSL distros, then enter back into WSL distro as normal to start it back up again. This post contains a guide to help explain the process. A WSL reboot might be needed if your WSL instance or app…

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  • How to Restart Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

    If your Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) instance encounters errors or you’ve updated the .wslconfig file (e.g., to modify memory limits), restarting your WSL distributions may be necessary. This guide demonstrates two effective methods for restarting WSL distributions: > (Preferred Approach) Run the WSL –Shutdown Command > (Old…

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  • How to Upgrade WSL from Version 1 to Version 2

    This guide explains how to upgrade your Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) distribution from Version 1 (WSL 1) to Version 2 (WSL 2). WSL supports two versions: the original WSL 1 and the more advanced WSL 2. You can install multiple Linux distributions on your system and easily…

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  • How to Downgrade from WSL Version 2 to WSL Version 1

    In certain development or system administration scenarios, you may need to downgrade your Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) distribution from WSL version 2 (WSL 2) to version 1 (WSL 1). While WSL 2 brings many enhancements, such as a real Linux kernel and better performance, there are times…

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  • How to Check Linux Version in Ubuntu

    To check the Linux version running on an Ubuntu system, you can use the lsb_release -a or cat /etc/os-release commands. This is especially useful when accessing a host for the first time or verifying the installed Linux distribution and version. In this post, I’ll demo two ways to…

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  • How to Open WSL Projects in Windows File Explorer

    If you work with Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), you may need to open WSL files in Windows File Explorer for easier file management. This post gives some tips, providing two simple methods to achieve this. Best Practices for Managing WSL Project Files For best performance, always store…

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  • How to Change Your Default Distro in WSL

    Changing the default Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) distribution is simple. This guide shows you how to list your installed distros and set a new default using just a couple of commands. 1. Listing Installed WSL Distributions Before setting a new default, check which distributions are installed on…

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  • How to Check WSL Distro Versions

    This is a quick post on how to check your Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) distribution versions, with added info on what being on a different WSL version means. To check your WSL version we can simply run wsl -l -v in our PowerShell terminal window. This will…

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