In other words, “File.txt” with a capital letter is different from “file.txt” without a capital.įor more instructions, consult our beginner’s guide to the Linux command-line and other similar introductions to the Bash shell, Ubuntu command line, and Linux terminal online.For both Windows 10 and 11, the Windows Terminal app offers powerful and interesting ways to run and interact with a variety of command line environments. It’s important to remember that, unlike Windows, the Bash shell and its Linux-imitating environment are case-sensitive. RELATED: Beginner Geek: How to Start Using the Linux Terminal

Use a Text Editor: vi or nano in Bash, edit in DOS.

Create a Directory: mkdir in Bash, mkdir in DOS.

Delete a File: rm in Bash, del or erase in DOS.

Move or Rename a File: mv in Bash, move and rename in DOS.

List Contents of Directory: ls in Bash, dir in DOS.

Change Directory: cd in Bash, cd or chdir in DOS.

If you’re used to the standard Windows Command Prompt with its DOS commands, here are a few basic commands common to both Bash and Windows: Use the same Linux terminal commands you’d use to get around. Enable the “Windows Subsystem for Linux” option in the list, and then click the “OK” button. It’s time to switch to the 64-bit version of Windows 10 if you’re still using the 32-bit version, anyway.Īssuming you have 64-bit Windows, to get started, head to Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows Features On Or Off. This feature doesn’t work on the 32-bit version of Windows 10, so ensure you’re using the 64-bit version of Windows. RELATED: How Do I Know if I'm Running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows? Note: WSL2 supports GUI applications on Windows 11.

That also means that most any Linux application, package, or command will work without an issue. Just like WSL1, WSL2 allows you use a range of different Linux Distros including, Ubuntu, Debian, Kali, openSUSE, Fedora, and others. WSL2 runs a full Linux Kernel in an extremely efficient virtual machine.

Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2) is designed to provide the exact same user experience as its predecessor, but the similarities mostly end there.

How Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2) Works

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