Install WSL2 on windows 10

January 17, 2021 2022

A draft guide for activating WSL2 on Windows 10 (Version 20H2, OS Build 19042.746). This post serves as a notebook documenting the trial and error process. Note that it might contain minor errors as it is taken directly from my personal notes.

Check your Windows Version

Type winver in the Windows search bar and check your version.
My system shows Version 20H2 (OS Build 19042.746).
This version is suitable for WSL2, as Microsoft recommends OS Build 19041 or later.

Enable Windows Features

Search for “Turn Windows features on or off”.
Enable Windows Subsystem for Linux.
Enable Virtual Machine Platform.
Install Ubuntu from the Microsoft Store.
If you see a message saying “WSL 2 requires an update to its kernel component,” visit https://aka.ms/wsl2kernel.
Download and install the required files from that site.

Update the Linux Kernel

Visit https://aka.ms/wsl2kernel.
Install the update components.
Open Windows PowerShell as Administrator.
Run the command: wsl -l -v
This will display the WSL version currently in use.
If it shows version 1, you need to upgrade to version 2 using the command: wsl --set-version Ubuntu-18.04 2 (Replace Ubuntu-18.04 with your installed version).
Finally, set WSL2 as the default version: wsl --set-default-version 2

Setting up WSL2 with Ubuntu GUI

Prerequisites

Install WSL and a Linux distribution (e.g., Ubuntu 20.04).
Install a lightweight GUI.
Test the RDP connection to the Ubuntu environment.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow the official documentation if needed: WSL Installation Guide

Enable WSL Component: Open PowerShell as Administrator and run: dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart
Enable Virtual Machine Feature: Run the following in PowerShell as Administrator: dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart
Install and Update Ubuntu:
- Update your packages: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
Install XRDP for Remote Desktop:
- sudo apt install xrdp
Install a Lightweight Desktop Environment (XFCE):
- sudo apt install -y xfce4
- During configuration, you may be asked to select a default display manager; select gdm3 or lightdm.
- Install additional utilities: sudo apt install -y xfce4-goodies

Configure XRDP: It is recommended to back up the configuration before editing:

sudo cp /etc/xrdp/xrdp.ini /etc/xrdp/xrdp.ini.bak
sudo sed -i 's/3389/3390/g' /etc/xrdp/xrdp.ini
sudo sed -i 's/max_bpp=64/#max_bpp=64\nmax_bpp=128/g' /etc/xrdp/xrdp.ini
sudo sed -i 's/xserverbpp=24/#xserverbpp=24\nxserverbpp=128/g' /etc/xrdp/xrdp.ini
echo xfce4-session > ~/.xsession

Edit Startup Script: Open the startup script: sudo nano /etc/rdp/startwm.sh Add the following line before the last two lines: startxfce4
Start the XRDP Server: sudo /etc/init.d/xrdp start This will allow you to connect via the Windows Remote Desktop Connection tool using localhost:3390.

Summary This setup took some time to figure out, but it provides full control over the Ubuntu environment with a graphical interface.

Shamrat Published: 17.01.2021

References