So, looking for the steps to installing Linux Bash on Windows 10, quick and easy? Then you are in the right place, because in this article, we will provide you with the easiest steps to install and setup Linux Bash on Windows 10 THE EASY WAY, so if this sounds good to you, then let’s get started!
How to Activate Windows Subsystem for Linux
To run Bash on your computer, basically, you must have at least Windows 10 version 1607 installed, as prior versions of Windows 10 are not compatible with this utility. Second, you’ll need a 64-bit system because the Linux Bash won’t work on Windows 10’s 32-bit versions.
If your PC meets all of these requirements, you can then freely install Linux Bash on your Windows 10 PC without restriction. However, you must first prepare your machine before installing Bash. And here’s how you can do it:
- Open the Windows 10 Settings app.
- Go to Update & security > For Developers.
- Under Use developer features, select the Developer mode option.
- On the message box, click Yes to turn on developer mode.
- Restart your computer.
- Once your computer reboots, open the Control Panel.
- Click on Programs > Turn Windows features on or off.
- Check the Windows Subsystem for Linux option, and click OK.
- The above step from the Control Panel stage can also be performed using the Administrator PowerShell prompt, just run this code or copy-paste and press “Enter” key from your keyboard:
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux - Restart your computer once the components have been installed to complete the process.
How to Install Linux Bash on Windows 10
You can finally enable this option when you’ve setup your PC for Linux Bash. Simply follow the steps below:
- Open Start, do a search for Microsoft Store, and then search for Ubuntu by Canonical Group Limited. Any version should be fine.
You may also use other Linux distributions which are officially made by Microsoft here.
If you like to use Microsoft-supported apps, then I suggest you go with Debian.
But for the sake of this tutorial, we will use the Ubuntu by Canonical Group Limited as I am much more familiar with using Ubuntu. - Press Get button and Launch button further to install the app and you will be redirected to an installation screen that looks like a terminal or a command prompt in Windows. Just follow the instructions to proceed with the installation and further settings.
- Following that, you must create a new UNIX account username and password. In the necessary field, type the username and hit Enter. The username “admin” is not available. You may also be prompted to create your password for that account. Just follow the prompt further and it should be self-explanatory.
- After create providing the details for your new UNIX account username and password as a user, you may also want to change your root password. To do that, run sudo su – command to login as root then run passwd command and follow the prompt questions again to change or add a new password for the root account or administrator account.
- Once done, close the app.
The Linux bash will be installed on your computer after you’ve completed these steps, and you’ll be able to run it from the Start Menu or Desktop, just like any other app. Just search Ubuntu in your Windows search bar or cmd then run ubuntu1804 or bash.exe.
