Linux on Windows Server-2019 WSL feature

How can I enable Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) feature on Windows Server 2019?

How do I use Linux on Windows Server-2019?

So, this guide will show you how to enable Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) feature on Windows server 2019.

Enable Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) feature to use Linux on Windows Server.

However, you can also read my Windows 10 post: 7 Windows 10 Tricks and Hidden Features

Method 1 : Using Microsoft PowerShell

Firstly, open PowerShell as Administrator and run the following command. It will enable Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) feature on Windows.

Install WSL (for question, answer [Y] to restart computer)

Agree to restart your computer when prompted.

PS C:\Users\Administrator>Enable-Windows Optional Feature –Online –Feature Name Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux

Do you want to restart the computer to complete this operation now?

[Y] Yes [N] No [?] Help (default is “Y”): Y

Path :

Online: True

Restart Needed : True

Method 2:  You can do the same Using GUI

Open Server Manager and enter Add roles and features. Then check a box Windows Subsystem for Linux on Select features section and install it. After installing, restart Computer.

Final Step:

Launch PowerShelland download the distro with the Invoke-WebRequest.

PS C:\Users\Administrator> Invoke-WebRequest –Url https://aka.ms/wsl-ubuntu-1804 -OutFile “ubuntu-1804.zip”

After the download, extract and install a Linux distro.

PS C:\Users\Administrator> Expand-Archive ubuntu-1804.zip

PS C:\Users\Administrator> cd ubuntu-1804

Change your working directory to ubuntu1804 and run the installer to finish your distro installation.

PS C:\Users\Administrator\ubuntu-1804> .\ubuntu1804.exe

Installing, this may take a few minutes..

The installer will prompt you to provide username and password for the UNIX user to be created.

Now create a default UNIX user account as per your choice.

That’s all. Enjoy your distro on your Windows server. You can also run other distros like Kali Linux, Debian, OpenSUSE etc.

The process of installing any of these distributions is the same.

Read Why I prefer Arch Linux : Top Five Reasons To Choose Arch Linux