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?
Yes, there is still a small chance of data loss. Even with dual boot and a random SSD, issues like corruption can occur, so regular backups remain important.
Save your files securely and a dual-boot setup won’t lead to data loss. Why keep running 1809 as your primary operating system? It’s nearing the end of support and won’t receive security updates. I wouldn’t rely on it for everyday desktop tasks. If you need it for a particular application and can’t run a virtual machine, boot it alongside a recent version of Windows 10 or 11.
Begin by setting up WSL, launch a terminal, and install Ubuntu. After entering Ubuntu, use its terminal to add Steam via sudo apt update and upgrade. The first step checks your local app database against the official one, while the second updates all installed apps. Running them together with && speeds up the process.
Next, in the same terminal, add the multiverse repository using sudo add-apt-repository multiverse. This verifies the presence or adds it if missing.
You now have options:
3a. Install Steam directly with sudo apt-get install steam.
3b. Use the -o APT::Install-Suggests="true" flag to also install recommended packages, speeding up the setup and ensuring everything is covered.
For those new to Linux, remember that regular users usually need admin rights to modify system settings. The sudo command requires approval from 'root' to execute higher-level tasks. This extra security prevents accidental loss of critical files or directories by prompting for a password if something is missing.
Sure, glad you found it clear. I’ll check the password requirement and see if GPU drivers are needed. It seems like it should work on Windows too, just like with Steam. The system won’t let you delete critical files, but you can overwrite them—this is called taking ownership. No password required, though it might feel a bit tricky. Let me know if that makes sense!
Here’s a revised version of your text:
Yes, refer to her for additional details: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/window...s/gui-apps If by "pw" you mean a password, it will be requested during setup. To simplify things, especially if you're the sole user, you can set the root passwords together—you’ll get the option to decide which one to use when prompted.
Also, remember you can create a generic Guest account so others can access your computer without seeing your personal files in the "Home" folder or gaining any control over the operating system. They won’t be able to install, remove, or modify applications or save data on the OS itself. However, they will have full access to external drives.
While there are methods around this, it does demand some specialized knowledge that isn't commonly known but can be found through research.
Hey there, thanks again. It seems this setup doesn’t quite fit what they say about working with Win Ver 11. I think the changes have shifted, and it only functions with newer versions like Win 10 or 11 (with WSL2). It looks like you’ll need a fresh install of Windows 10/11, possibly using something like LTSC or Win 11 Pro. Steam Pro might even run better for performance. I’m still figuring this out, but it’s clear this isn’t going to work in the current setup. Appreciate the help!
this section is a bit unclear... the official Microsoft documentation indicates compatibility with Windows 11, but another source mentions it functions on Windows 10. It seems there might be conflicting reports. "Windows 10 build 21364 enables running Linux GUI applications" is noted as unofficial, likely from a blog post. My confidence in this is low right now.
This process differs from other platforms since any failure means losing time. Installing Linux is like creating a self-contained space; it won’t impact the outside world, which can be confirmed by removing WSL entirely.
21364 represents a Windows Insider release of Windows 10 leading into Windows 11 development. For WSLg you require Windows 11, while on Windows 10 you’re limited to running a xWindow server and connecting manually—often resulting in many errors but generally functional programs. If you plan to use WSL1 or WSL2, installing Windows Terminal is advised; it serves as the default command prompt interface under Windows 11 and can be downloaded from the Windows Store.