How to Install Linux on Windows 10

Linux has gained immense popularity among tech enthusiasts and developers due to its flexibility and open-source nature. If you want to explore Linux on your Windows 10 machine without giving up Windows entirely, you have several installation options. In this guide, we’ll walk through the most popular ways to install Linux alongside Windows 10.

Method 1: Using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) allows you to run Linux directly on Windows 10 without installing a separate virtual machine. WSL is the simplest and safest way to use Linux if you don’t need a full-fledged operating system but just a Linux environment for development and testing.

Steps to Install WSL:

  1. Open PowerShell as an administrator. Type “PowerShell” in the Windows search bar, right-click on the app, and select “Run as administrator”.
  2. In PowerShell, enter the following command and press Enter:
    dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart
  3. After the process completes, restart your computer.
  4. Once restarted, open the Microsoft Store and install any Linux distribution available, such as Ubuntu, Debian, or Kali Linux.
  5. After installation, launch the distribution from the Start menu and follow the instructions to complete the initial setup.

Now, you have access to a Linux command line, where you can execute commands in a Linux-like environment.

Method 2: Using a Virtual Machine

If you want a complete Linux environment, one of the best options is to install Linux on a virtual machine. This allows you to run Linux in a window within Windows, effectively as a standalone operating system.

Steps to Set Up a Virtual Machine:

  1. Download and install VirtualBox or VMware Workstation Player—both are free programs for creating virtual machines.
  2. Open VirtualBox or VMware, create a new virtual machine, and choose "Linux" as the operating system type and the version that matches your chosen distribution.
  3. Download the ISO file for your preferred Linux distribution (e.g., from the official Ubuntu, Fedora, or Debian sites).
  4. In the virtual machine settings, attach the downloaded ISO file as the boot disk.
  5. Start the virtual machine and follow the Linux installer instructions to complete the setup.

Now, you have a full Linux OS available within Windows. You can switch between Windows and Linux simply by switching windows.

Method 3: Dual Boot Linux and Windows

For users who need full hardware access and optimal performance, the best choice is installing Linux on a separate disk partition with dual boot enabled. This method allows you to choose which operating system to boot into at startup.

Steps for Dual Boot Setup:

  1. Back up your important data. Setting up dual boot can affect Windows, so securing your files is essential.
  2. Create free space on your hard drive for Linux. Open "Disk Management" in Windows and shrink the main partition to leave unallocated space for Linux.
  3. Download the ISO file of your chosen Linux distribution and create a bootable USB using Rufus or Etcher.
  4. Restart your computer, boot from the USB, and select the option to "Install alongside Windows" or choose "Manual installation" to create a new partition.
  5. Follow the installer instructions to complete the setup.

Now, whenever you start your computer, you’ll have the option to choose between Windows and Linux.