Set up Linux via WSL on Windows 10... does it truly run as Linux?
Set up Linux via WSL on Windows 10... does it truly run as Linux?
Yeah, the article mentioned it, but I thought it would automatically apply when I bought this. Probably not what they meant. I’d prefer a dual boot setup or a separate SSD so I can easily swap with my current OS drive. Or I could just install Windows 11 on a fresh drive. My main concern is protecting the data on my other three drives—there are many scary stories about Linux messing with Windows files, and vice versa. I’m unsure if there’s a completely safe way to prevent this. I might disconnect or disable those drives in BIOS, but that’s really inconvenient for me. Upgrading my PC was a nightmare, taking two hours just to install two SSDs. That’s why I haven’t tried Linux yet. I also hate how Windows once put a “msdownload” folder on one of my drives—complicated things. I deleted it thinking it’d create a new copy, but it didn’t and the PC slowed down. After restoring, everything was back to normal. So, how can I avoid Linux potentially damaging my drives? Even if it’s unlikely? I’m worried about using installed games on Steam or other stuff, and I might need to wipe or disable the new OS drive before installing Linux or Windows 11. Thanks for the long explanation—I’m really concerned about all this data!
My suggestion is WSL2. If your system works, I’d also think about upgrading to Windows 11 to benefit from the latest improvements. However, I’m not sure which games are exclusive to Linux. If it’s mainly about using a graphical desktop, you’ll likely end up relying heavily on the terminal regardless. For GUI applications, you can run them through Terminal after installation, and they should display properly—just check if you’re using Windows 11 for WSLg or follow guides for X-server apps on Windows 10.