Install Ubuntu LTS Server via WSL on Windows

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows you to run a GNU/Linux environment—including most command-line tools, utilities, and applications—directly on Windows, unmodified, without the overhead of a traditional virtual machine or dual-boot setup.

This guide covers installing the latest Ubuntu 24.04 LTS Server (non-GUI command-line environment).

YouTube Video Tutorial

If you prefer a visual walkthrough, you can watch our step-by-step video guide here:

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

• Windows 10 (version 2004 and higher, Build 19041 and higher) or Windows 11.
• Virtualization enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings (usually enabled by default on modern machines).

Installation & Configuration

Step 1: Install WSL and Ubuntu

1. Open PowerShell or Windows Command Prompt as an Administrator (right-click and select “Run as administrator”).
2. Run the following command to install the default WSL features and the latest Ubuntu LTS release:

   wsl --install

   Note: If you want to explicitly install the latest Ubuntu 24.04 LTS release, you can run:

   wsl --install -d Ubuntu-24.04

3. Wait for the download and installation to complete.

Step 2: Restart Your Computer

Once the command finishes successfully, restart your PC to complete the installation of the required Windows features.

Step 3: Initialize Ubuntu Server

1. After restarting, open the newly installed Ubuntu application from your Windows Start Menu, or open a terminal and run:

   wsl

2. A console window will open. Wait for a minute or two for the initial setup to finish.
3. You will be prompted to create a Username and Password for your Ubuntu environment:
   • Enter a new username (e.g., serveradmin).
   • Enter a secure password (the cursor will not move or show characters while typing for security).
   • Re-enter the password to confirm.

Verification & Next Steps

1. Verify that your system is running the latest Ubuntu LTS version:

   lsb_release -a

2. Update the package list and upgrade the system to ensure you have the latest security patches:

   sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

3. Your Ubuntu LTS Server is now ready! You can now proceed to Docker Compose inside WSL.