TestenGOLD- Free

RUN GRAPHICAL LINUX APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS

PC Pro|August 2023
Why limit yourself to one software library? Nik Rawlinson finds out how to run Linux software natively on Windows
RUN GRAPHICAL LINUX APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS

Windows is by far the most popular operating system in the world - but for developers and power users, it's often helpful to be able to switch into a Linux environment. In the past, this meant dual-booting, or installing your chosen distribution in a virtual machine. But since 2016 there's been a better way: the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is an optional OS component that provides a fully working, officially supported Linux environment right inside Windows.

The major limitation of WSL, when it was first introduced, was that it was a text-only interface. You could run scripts and command-line programs, but graphical applications were off the menu.

That's no longer the case. All desktop editions of Windows 10 and 11 now support WSLg - an updated version of WSL, where the "g" stands for GUI. It enables you to run graphical Linux applications directly on the Windows desktop, with minimal configuration. It's a huge boon for anyone who works across multiple platforms, or who just wants to try out applications and tools that aren't available for Windows.

WSLg isn't installed by default, but it's not hard to set up. Here's our guide to installing it and running your first Linux app on Windows. We're using Windows 11, but the same instructions will work for Windows 10; in either case, just make sure you're using the latest version of the OS, so that all the relevant modules are installed.

Installing WSL and setting up your Linux account

You can install WSL from the Microsoft Store (pcpro.link/346wsl), but most of the setup process is carried out at the command line, so we may as well start there. We'll use a PowerShell session with administrator privileges - an easy way to open one is right-click the Start menu and select "Windows Terminal (Admin)", then click Yes to allow changes to your system.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2023-Ausgabe von PC Pro.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 9.500 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2023-Ausgabe von PC Pro.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 9.500 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS PC PROAlle anzeigen
Lenovo Idea Tab Pro
PC Pro

Lenovo Idea Tab Pro

A great-value rival to the iPad due to its 12.7in screen and bundled stylus, even if the OS can't match Apple's

time-read
4 Minuten  |
June 2025
Huawei MatePad Pro 13.2 (2025)
PC Pro

Huawei MatePad Pro 13.2 (2025)

Yet another brilliant piece of hardware design from Huawei, but the lack of apps is too big a drawback

time-read
4 Minuten  |
June 2025
Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro
PC Pro

Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro

Pluses include a high-res screen, powerful processor and fast charging, but AI features remain iffy

time-read
3 Minuten  |
June 2025
Google Pixel 9a
PC Pro

Google Pixel 9a

Quite simply the best mid-range phone around, with useful AI features, long battery life and excellent cameras

time-read
5 Minuten  |
June 2025
Wired2Fire R7X3D 9070 XT Beast
PC Pro

Wired2Fire R7X3D 9070 XT Beast

A strong debut for AMD's Radeon RX 9070 XT, and if you have space to house it this is a striking choice

time-read
3 Minuten  |
June 2025
Remote access: best practice
PC Pro

Remote access: best practice

How do you efficiently and securely allow workers to access resources from wherever they happen to be? Steve Cassidy explores the different approaches and philosophies

time-read
7 Minuten  |
June 2025
PC Pro

The Phoney War with Virgin Media

It's 2025 and apparently I must have a landline I don't want, along with a tiny lump of plastic and wires

time-read
3 Minuten  |
June 2025
The inside story of Windows 95
PC Pro

The inside story of Windows 95

On its 30th anniversary, we retrace the development and inside stories of the operating system that changed the world

time-read
6 Minuten  |
June 2025
CPUs the latest generation
PC Pro

CPUs the latest generation

The processor industry moves quickly, and a lot can change between laptop or PC purchases. Darien Graham-Smith breaks down all the latest chips from the big three CPU firms - and shares what we know about what's coming next

time-read
8 Minuten  |
June 2025
Britain's full-fibre alternative Richard Tang, Zen
PC Pro

Britain's full-fibre alternative Richard Tang, Zen

Zen Internet CEO Richard Tang wants to bring Britain's disparate fibre networks together

time-read
5 Minuten  |
June 2025

Wir verwenden Cookies, um unsere Dienste bereitzustellen und zu verbessern. Durch die Nutzung unserer Website stimmen Sie zu, dass die Cookies gesetzt werden. Learn more