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aka.ms/wslinstall explained

Updated

aka.ms/wslinstall is the Microsoft short link to the official instructions for installing the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), which lets you run a Linux distribution such as Ubuntu or Debian directly on Windows.

Where the link goes

When we checked on 21 October 2026, aka.ms/wslinstall forwarded to learn.microsoft.com/windows/wsl/install, which then opened the English page How to install Linux on Windows with WSL. It is documentation on Microsoft Learn. The link does not download an installer itself; the installation is done with a command in Windows, as described below.

A related short link, aka.ms/wsl2kernel, appears in an older WSL error message. On the same day it opened Microsoft Learn's Manual installation steps for older versions of WSL, at step 4, Download the Linux kernel update package.

What WSL is

Microsoft describes WSL as a way for developers to use a Linux distribution, with its applications, utilities and Bash command-line tools, directly on Windows, without the overhead of a traditional virtual machine or a dual-boot setup. You keep Windows as your main system and open Linux in a terminal window when you need it. It is aimed at developers, students and IT professionals; most home users never need it.

Before you start

  • Windows version. Microsoft says the one-command install needs Windows 10 version 2004 or later (build 19041 or later) or Windows 11. Older builds use the manual steps.
  • Administrator rights. The command must be run in PowerShell or Command Prompt opened with Run as administrator.
  • Virtualization. WSL 2, the default, runs Linux in a lightweight virtual machine, so hardware virtualization must be on. If it is not, you will see error 0x80370102; see aka.ms/enablevirtualization.
  • System drive. Microsoft's troubleshooting page says WSL only runs on the system drive, usually C:. Error 0x80070003 can mean new content is set to be saved on another drive.

The one-command install

  1. Right-click Start and open Terminal or PowerShell as administrator.
  2. Type wsl --install and press Enter.
  3. Restart the PC when the command finishes.
  4. Open the new distribution. The first launch takes a little while as files are decompressed; Microsoft says later launches should take less than a second.
  5. Create a Linux user name and password. These belong to Linux only and are separate from your Windows or Microsoft account password.

Microsoft explains that this command enables the features needed to run WSL and installs the Ubuntu distribution by default. To choose another one, list what is available with wsl --list --online and install it with wsl --install -d <DistroName>.

Useful commands after installing

CommandWhat Microsoft says it does
wsl --list --verboseLists installed distributions and whether each uses WSL 1 or WSL 2
wsl --set-default-version 2Makes WSL 2 the default for new distributions
wsl --set-version <Distro> 2Converts an existing distribution between WSL 1 and WSL 2
wsl --set-default <Distro>Chooses which distribution the plain wsl command opens
wsl --updateUpdates the Windows Subsystem for Linux itself

Microsoft notes that new installs made with wsl --install use WSL 2 by default. Updating the Linux programs inside a distribution is separate and is done with that distribution's own package manager, for example apt on Ubuntu.

Ways to open Linux once installed

Microsoft lists several ways to start a distribution after setup:

  • Windows Terminal, which Microsoft recommends. It can hold Linux, PowerShell and Command Prompt in separate tabs or panes.
  • The Start menu. Type the name of the distribution, for example Ubuntu, and open it in its own window.
  • From PowerShell. Type the distribution name (such as ubuntu), or wsl to open the default one inside the current window. Type exit to leave.
  • A single command. wsl <command> runs one Linux command from PowerShell without switching shells; Microsoft gives wsl pwd and wsl date as examples.

You can install more than one distribution side by side. Microsoft says WSL can run as many as you like, from the Microsoft Store, imported from a TAR file, or built yourself.

Trying preview versions

If you want the newest WSL features before they are released, Microsoft offers two routes: join the Windows Insider Program and pick a channel, or keep your normal Windows build and run wsl --update --pre-release. Preview builds can be less stable, so most people should stay on the standard release.

Common problems and Microsoft's fixes

  • The command only prints help text. Microsoft says wsl --install only works when WSL is not installed at all. If WSL is already there, install a distribution with wsl --install -d <DistroName>.
  • The install hangs at 0.0%. Microsoft suggests wsl --install --web-download -d <DistroName> to download the distribution first.
  • Error 0x8007019e. The Windows Subsystem for Linux optional component is not enabled. Turn it on in Turn Windows features on or off.
  • Error 0x1bc and aka.ms/wsl2kernel. The message WSL 2 requires an update to its kernel component comes from older setups. Microsoft's manual steps offer a kernel update package for x64 and ARM64; on current systems, wsl --update keeps the kernel up to date.
  • Error 0x80370102. Virtualization or Virtual Machine Platform is off; see our guide to that error.

Offline installs

For PCs without internet access, Microsoft's page describes an offline route: install the latest WSL MSI package from the WSL releases page that Microsoft links on GitHub, enable Virtual Machine Platform with DISM, then install a distribution from a .wsl file. Only use the links on Microsoft's own page for these files.

WSL is free and installed by Windows itself. You do not need to sign in to a website, pay for a "Linux for Windows" download or install third-party tools to get it. If a site offers that, close it. See Is aka.ms safe?

Developers who sign in to command-line tools with a code may also meet aka.ms/devicelogin. More links are listed in our aka.ms links directory.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

What is aka.ms/wslinstall?

A Microsoft short link to the official WSL installation guide. On 21 October 2026 it opened How to install Linux on Windows with WSL on learn.microsoft.com.

What does aka.ms/wsl2kernel do?

It is the link in the older error 0x1bc message. On 21 October 2026 it opened Microsoft's manual WSL steps at the Linux kernel update package step.

Which Windows versions can use wsl --install?

Microsoft says Windows 10 version 2004 or later (build 19041 or later) and Windows 11. Earlier versions need the manual installation steps.

Is the Linux password the same as my Microsoft password?

No. You create a separate user name and password for the Linux distribution the first time you open it.