Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a Linux distribution based on Debian.

Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04 and Ubuntu 20.04. areavailable for WSL from the Microsoft Store. As new versions are created thy may also be added

  • Windows Store Link for Ubuntu 16.04. Supported through April 2021. Very stable but packages and libraries may be out of date and need updated.
  • Windows Store Link for Ubuntu 18.04. Supported through April 2023.
  • Windows Store Link for Ubuntu 20.04. Most recent update. Newer packages but more likely to encounter bugs. Supported through April 2025.
  • Installing Software guide to using apt from Ubuntu. Important for older versions of Ubuntu and installing new software.
  • Ubuntu Server Guide from Ubuntu.
  • Many Debian tutorials also apply to Ubuntu.

Debian

Debian is a Linux distribution assembled by volunteers

OpenSUSE / SUSE Enterprise Linux

OpenSUSE and SUSE Enterprise Linux are Linux distributions. Tumbleweed and Leap are community-oriented distributions.

Tumbleweed is a rolling release distribution with the latest software, while Leap is a stable distribution based on SUSE Enterprise Linux.

SUSE Enterprise Linux is an enterprise-grade commercial distribution with older tested software.

Kali Linux

Kali Linux is a Linux distribution focused on penetration testing which is based on Debian

Fedora Remix for WSL

Fedora Remix for WSL is a Linux distribution derived from the Fedora distribution.

Pengwin

Pengwin is a Linux distribution based on Debian

Pengwin Enterprise

Pengwin Enterprise is a custom WSL solution available to enterprise customers from Whitewater Foundry. Pengwin Enterprise supports Red Hat Enterprise Linux, CentOS, and Scientific Linux.

A demo of Pengwin Enterprise built with Scientific Linux is available on the Microsoft Store.

Unofficial Distributions

Unofficial distributions must be installed manually or with tools listed below.

They are not available in the Windows Store.

  • miniwsl – A mini Linux distribution for WSL powered by busybox.
  • ArchWSL – ArchLinux in WSL.
  • AlpineWSL – Alpine in WSL.
  • windows-subsystem-linux-fedora – Fedora in WSL.
  • WSLInstall – Install any GNU/Linux distribution userspace in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) with compressed RootFS tarballs, Docker containers, or ISO files.
  • wsldl – General purpose WSL installer and launcher.
  • WSL-Distribution-Switcher – Scripts to replace the distribution behind WSL with any other Linux distribution published on Docker Hub. Includes alpine, CentOS, Fedora, Clear, and others.
  • acme-wsl – Install acme / plan9port on Debian, Ubuntu, or Kali Linux distributions on WSL.
  • CentWSL – CentOS as a WSL distro.
  • RHWSL – Red Hat Universal Base Image as a WSL distro. If you have a Red Hat Subscription, you can register and subscribe the system and use it as RHEL.
  • FedoraWSL – Fedora as a WSL distro.
  • AmazonWSL – Amazon Linux as a WSL distro.
  • GentooWSL – Gentoo as a WSL distro.
  • DevuanWSL – Devuan Linux as a WSL Distro. Devuan is a Debian variant without the complexities and dependencies of systemd.
  • ManjaroWSL – Manjaro as a WSL distro based on wsldl.
  • WSLackware – Slackware as a WSL distro.

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