WSL Guide · Mission Control

Build, manage, and scale Windows Subsystem for Linux without guesswork

From your first distro install to enterprise governance, this guide bundles field-tested workflows, automation scripts, and deep dives so your Linux-on-Windows experience feels effortless.

Start with InstallationExplore the Deep Dive
Distros covered
8+
Automation snippets
40+
Enterprise guardrails
12
WSL Control RoomGuided onboarding
PS C:\>wsl --install -d Ubuntu-24.04
PS C:\>wsl --set-default-version 2
PS C:\>wsl --export Ubuntu-24.04 \Backups\ubuntu-base.tar
user@wsl:~$sudo apt update && sudo apt install build-essential git curl

Need a faster start? Clone our automation scripts to bootstrap distros, secrets, and dotfiles in one go.

Choose your next move

Whether you are just enabling WSL or running enterprise fleets, these curated paths keep you moving forward without babysitting documentation across the web.

Install WSL the smart way

Enable the Windows features you need, download the latest kernel, and choose a distro that matches your workflow.

Installation guide

Tune your Linux + Windows bridge

Craft a .wslconfig, optimize file placement, and wire up Windows Terminal, VS Code, and your dev tools.

Configuration playbook

Build production-ready stacks

Run Node.js, containers, AI workloads, and enterprise workflows with reproducible environments and governance.

Development recipes

Why teams adopt WSL

We bake battle-tested practices straight into the guide so you can focus on building. No more guessing when to stay on Windows, when to switch to Linux, or how to keep compliance happy.

Linux fidelity, Windows comfort

  • Run the Microsoft-maintained Linux kernel with near-native performance and full system call compatibility.
  • Mix Windows productivity apps with Linux shells, dotfiles, and package managers without leaving your terminal.

Operational excellence built-in

  • Snap, export, and restore distros with scriptable workflows for onboarding and disaster recovery.
  • Control CPU, memory, networking, and disk usage from a single .wslconfig that scales from laptops to enterprise fleets.

Modern workloads unlocked

  • Ship microservices, AI experiments, and GPU-accelerated notebooks with the same toolchains you use in production.
  • Integrate Docker, Dev Containers, GitHub Actions runners, and cloud CLIs directly inside your WSL distro.
automation.ps1
# Convert your distro fleet to WSL 2wsl -l -q | ForEach-Object { wsl --set-version $_ 2 }# Apply your org .wslconfig everywhereCopy-Item .wslconfig $env:USERPROFILE\\.wslconfig# Snapshot for rollbackwsl --export Ubuntu-24.04 backups\\ubuntu-$(Get-Date -Format yyyyMMdd).tar

Operate with confidence

Jump into the enterprise playbook for rollout phases, compliance controls, and health dashboards that make your security team smile.

Visit the playbook

Spotlight guides

Dive into purpose-built guides that cover everything from daily workflows to regulated deployments and language-specific tooling.

Featured

WSL Deep Dive

Architectural insights, distro management checklists, and automation patterns for serious WSL practitioners.

Read the guideFeatured

WSL Enterprise Playbook

Governance controls, compliance frameworks, and rollout strategies for large organizations adopting WSL.

Read the guideFeatured

Node.js on WSL

Install, version, and debug Node.js projects with speed using nvm, fnm, or asdf right inside your distro.

Read the guide
Mattias Vinberg
Creator spotlight

Mattias Vinberg

Hej! Jag bygger och kuraterar WSL Guide för att göra Linux på Windows tillgängligt för alla – från nyfikna utvecklare till stora team.

  • Bygger WSL-upplevelser med fokus på design, automation och hållbara flöden.
  • Mixar openSUSE-inspirerade desktops med Windows för en sömlös hybridmiljö.
  • Delar guider, skript och inspiration tillsammans med WSL-communityt.
openSUSE-desktop i WSL

WSL - Desktop for All

Utforska openSUSE-inspirerade skrivbord för en komplett WSL-upplevelse på Windows.

Följ projektet på GitHub och bidra med dina egna desktop-idéer.

Fresh updates

The guide evolves with each WSL release. Catch the latest patterns, scripts, and integrations we have added this quarter.

GPU workflows checklist

Step-by-step for configuring CUDA, DirectML, and ROCm inside WSL with IDE support.

Open section

Enterprise automation packs

Reusable scripts that export, rotate, and validate distros at scale for regulated industries.

Open section

Dev Container blueprints

Prebuilt templates that keep WSL, Docker, and VS Code remote development in sync.

Open section

Ready to ship with confidence?

Browse the full site map below or jump straight into the contact page if you have a scenario we should cover next.

WSL Deep DiveEnterprise PlaybookTroubleshootingTools & AppsResourcesContact