Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL 2) availability on various Windows Editions

Easy way to Enable WSL 2 via the Command Prompt (CMD)

This section will provide a step-by-step explanation on how to enable this feature using the CMD.

• Go to the Start menu, or use the shortcut Win Key + S, then search for Command Prompt. Make sure to run the Command Prompt as Administrator. User Account Control will prompt for your confirmation. Click Yes to continue.

• You can now paste the following command in the CMD and then click Enter. dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

• The above command will enable Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 and also ensure that the System does not restart on its own during the process.

• When you get the message “The Operation Completed Successfully“, then WSL 2 is now enabled.

• The Virtual Machine Platform is a crucial component required for running WSL 2 on Windows 11. It provides the underlying virtualization layer needed to run Linux distributions in a more efficient and isolated environment.
• To enable the Virtual Machine Platform via the Command Prompt, kindly execute the following command in the CMD. dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart

• The system will now enable this feature on Windows 11. Kindly wait for the “The operation completed successfully” message.

• It is highly recommended to do a restart after this process. You can then install your desired Linux Distribution from the Microsoft Store as a WSL App.

Decoding WSL 2 CMD Command

Quick Way to Enable WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux 2) using Windows PowerShell

In this section, we will check out How to Enable Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 via Windows PowerShell.

• Open Windows PowerShell using the Start menu, and Run Windows PowerShell as Administrator.

• In PowerShell, enter the following command. Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux -All -NoRestart

• The system will now enable Windows Subsystem for Linux. The Online status “True” indicates that WSL 2 is now enabled. As we are using the NoRestart tag, the system will not restart automatically.

• Next, enter the command to enable Virtual Machine Platform. Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName VirtualMachinePlatform -All -NoRestart

• The system will enable Virtual Machine Platform now.

• Kindly Restart your System. You can now install your favorite Linux Distro using the WSL App.

Information on the Go! If you want to use WSL 2, which offers a full Linux kernel and better performance, you can use the following command in PowerShell. wsl --set-default-version 2

Let’s Decode WSL2 Enable PowerShell Command

Video Walkthrough to Enable WSL 2 on Windows 11 using Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell

Take away

With WSL 2 enabled on Windows 11, you can execute Linux commands, use the package managers like APT and YUM, and even run Linux applications directly in Windows without the need for virtualization software like VirtualBox or VMware. Additionally, setting WSL 2 as the default version ensures that you get the most optimized performance from your Linux distributions in a Windows environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have Queries?

If you have any queries, kindly let us know in the comments. For more interesting articles, stay tuned to Winsides.com. Happy Computing! Peace out!

There are several ways available to enable this feature on Windows OS, you can either Enable Internet Information Services via Windows Features (GUI) on Windows 11 OS, or you can use the Command prompt to enable this feature in the CLI interface. With a little tweak in the command, we can enable IIS on Windows Servers using CLI. This article will provide detailed steps to enable Internet Information Services using Command Prompt. Let’s get started.

Internet Information Services (IIS) availability on different Windows Editions

This section provides information on the availability of this feature on different Windows Editions.

Easy way to Enable Internet Information Services using Command Prompt

• Go to the Start menu and Search for Command Prompt. Run Command Prompt as Administrator.

• User Account Control (UAC) will prompt for your permission to open CMD in Administrator mode. To confirm the action, click Yes.

• On the Command Prompt, execute the following command. dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:IIS-WebServerRole /all /norestart

• The above command will use DISM to Enable IIS using Command Prompt. Kindly be patient when the system enables this feature.

• Once the process is complete, we will get the message, “The operation completed successfully“.
• That is it. Internet Information Services is enabled via Command Prompt.

The same CMD command, dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:IIS-WebServerRole /all, can be used to install IIS on all modern Windows Server editions, including Windows Server 2012, 2016, 2019, and 2022, as it leverages the DISM tool, which is consistent across these versions.

Let’s decode the command:

• dism: This stands for Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool. It is a command-line tool used for managing Windows features, packages, and Windows image files (WIMs).
• /online: This flag indicates that the operation is being performed on the currently running (online) Windows installation. It is used to modify the features of the live system.
• /enable-feature: This flag tells DISM that you want to enable a specific feature in the operating system.
• /featurename:IIS-WebServerRole: IIS-WebServerRole is the feature that installs the core IIS Web Server components. It includes necessary IIS functions like HTTP Server, configuration management, and core modules.
• /all: This flag ensures that all required dependent features (Dependicies) for the IIS Web Server are also enabled.
• /norestart: This flag prevents Windows from restarting automatically after enabling the feature. If you want the system to restart automatically once the feature is enabled, you can omit this flag.

Enable Internet Information Services using PowerShell

In this section, we will check out how to enable IIS using PowerShell. The following are the steps.

• Open the Start menu using the shortcut Win Key + S, search for PowerShell, and run PowerShell as an Administrator.

• Enter the following command in the PowerShell and click Enter. Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName IIS-WebServerRole -All

• Now, the PowerShell will install the Internet Information Services Feature and its related dependencies. Kindly be patient.
• Once the process is completed, the system will prompt you whether you want to Restart or not. Enter Y for Restart and N for Restart later.

• Upon entering your desired value, the system will conclude the process by displaying the summary. If the Restart needed column is True, then the system strongly suggests that it requires a restart so that the changes made will reflect.

• That is it. IIS is now enabled on Windows 11 via PowerShell.

Video Walkthrough for Enabling IIS using CMD and PowerShell

Take away

This approach of enabling IIS on Windows 11 and Windows Server Editions using Command Prompt, and PowerShell is beneficial for web developers for automation, remote management, and streamlined setups. If you have any queries, kindly let us know in the comment section. For more interesting articles, stay tuned to Winsides.com. Happy Coding! Peace out!

To upgrade to .NET Framework 4.8, I first needed to find out which version was currently installed on my PC. Unfortunately, I didn’t know how to do this. After some research, I learned the steps to find the .NET framework version on a Windows 11 PC. I realized this could be a common issue for others who are new to Windows 11 or Visual Studio Code, so I decided to write a detailed guide on the topic. This guide will help users easily overcome this issue and continue with their installations. Let’s dive in.

Quick Way- Find .Net Framework version Windows 11:

• Open File Explorer. In the Address bar on the top, Enter the following command: C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\ and hit the Enter button.
• Now, you will see multiple version folders like v1.0.xxxx, v2.0.xxxx, v3.0, v3.5, and v4.xxxx.
• Open the latest version folder (v4.xxxx).
• In the top-right corner, you’ll see a Search Box. Enter the text “mscorlib.dll” and hit the Enter button.
• When the file appears, right click on it and select the Properties option.
• Go to the Details tab, where you can find the .NET Framework version (4.8.92610) listed under Product version.

1a: Find .Net Framework Version using Command Prompt:

This method is one of the quickest and nerdiest ways to find the .NET Framework version. For those who are completely new to Command Prompt and PowerShell, this is a great first way to begin.

• Click the Start Menu and search for Command Prompt
• You need to choose the “Run as Administrator” option to launch the command prompt in admin mode.

• You need to enter the following command: reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Net Framework Setup\NDP" /s and hit the Enter button to execute it.

As you can see in the image above, once the command is executed, the .NET Framework version is displayed as 4.8.09032 listed under Version.

1b: Alternate Command Prompt Command:

The command given above is a straightforward one that directly displays the version in just a single step. However, it shows multiple outputs, which might seem confusing. So, I’ve come up with an alternative command that displays only the .NET Framework version, avoiding unnecessary information.

• Click the Start Menu and search for Command Prompt
• You need to choose the “Run as Administrator” option to launch the command prompt in admin mode.

• Now you need to copy the command reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Net Framework Setup\NDP\v4\Full" /v Release and hit the Enter button to execute it.

• As you can see in the image above, the output shows “Release” -> “REG_DWORD” -> “0x82348”. The output value is given in hexadecimal, and it represents the .NET Framework version 4.8.1.

The table below provides the hexadecimal codes and their corresponding .NET Framework versions.

Compare your output hexadecimal value with the table above to find your installed .NET Framework version. Then, install the required version that suits your needs.

2a: Find .Net Framework Version using PowerShell:

• Click the Start Menu and search for PowerShell
• You need to choose the “Run as Administrator” option to launch the powershell in admin mode.

• Now you need to enter the following command: Get-ChildItem 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP' -Recurse | Get-ItemProperty -Name version -EA 0 | Where { $_.PSChildName -Match '^(?!S)\p{L}'} | Select PSChildName, version and hit the Enter button.

• In the command output image above, you can clearly see the version of the current .NET Framework installed on your PC. The current version is 4.8.09032, listed under “Full”.

2b: Alternate PowerShell Command:

• Click the Start Menu and search for PowerShell
• You need to choose the “Run as Administrator” option to launch the powershell in admin mode.

• You need to enter the following command Get-ChildItem 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Net Framework Setup\NDP\v4\Full\' | Get-ItemPropertyValue -Name Release and hit the Enter button.

• As you can see in the alternate command output image above, it displayed 533320 as the output value. This is a decimal value equivalent to the .NET Framework version 4.8.

The table below provides the decimal codes and their corresponding .NET Framework versions.

Compare your output decimal value with the table above to find your installed .NET Framework version. Then, install the required version that suits your needs.

3: Using File Explorer Method:

• Firstly, you need to open the File Explorer on your PC.

• Now, in the top address bar, you need to enter the following command: C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\ and hit Enter button to navigate in to the directory.

• Now, in the .NET directory, you’ll see multiple folders named v1.0, v2.0, and so on. From the list, you need to choose the latest version folder, which in our case is the v4.0.XXXX folder.
• Once you’re in the directory, you’ll see the search box in the top right corner. Enter the file name “mscorlib.dll” and hit the Enter button to display the file.

• Right click the file and select Properties. Then, go to the Details tab, where you can see the .NET version listed under the Product version option.

This is the easiest way to find the installed .net framework version on your Windows 11 pc.

4: Using Windows Registry Editor:

This is one of the unique way and this method requires access to registry editor!

• Firstly, you need to open the Run Command Window using the keyboard shortcut Winkey + R.
• Once the Run window appears, enter the following command regedit and hit the Enter button to launch the Registry editor.

• In the top, paste the following command in the address bar: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP\v4\Full\1033 and hit the Enter button.
• Now, you need to click the file named “Version” which displays the properties as 4.8.09032

• The data value 4.8.09032 which represents the .net 4.8 framework version has been installed on the pc.

5: Using Windows Features Method:

• Firstly, you need to open the Run Command Window using the keyboard shortcut Winkey + R.
• Once the Run window appears, enter the following command optionalfeatures and hit the Enter button to launch the Turn Windows Features on or off window.

• Now you need to Scroll through the list to see the versions of the .NET Framework installed on your system. Typically, you’ll see checkboxes for .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) and .NET Framework 4.x.

• The above step concludes that .net 4.8.XXXX version has been installed on your pc.

Conclusion:

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can quickly determine the .NET Framework version installed on your Windows 11 PC and take the necessary steps to upgrade if needed. Ensuring that your system meets the requirements for software like Visual Studio Code is crucial for a smooth development experience. With this knowledge, you’ll be well prepared to troubleshoot similar issues in the future and continue developing your projects without interruption. Happy coding! Find more tutorials at WinSides.

Steps to View WiFi Signal Strength:

In this article, I will share multiple methods for viewing your WiFi signal strength using simple ways. The methods below will work on Windows 10 and Windows 11, including all versions such as Home Edition, Premium Edition, and Enterprise Edition.

Way 1: Using the Taskbar:

• You need to find the WiFi or network icon on the right side of the taskbar, near the clock.
• If you are connected to a WiFi network, the signal strength will appear as bars next to the WiFi icon.

Way 2: Using Network in Control Panel:

• You need to open the Control Panel and change the view from Large icons to Small icons.
• Now, a list of settings will appear on your screen. From that list, choose “Network & Sharing Center.“
• A list of connected devices will be displayed in the window, where you can see your WiFi device along with the WiFi signal strength, as shown in the image below.

• If you want to see more details about the WiFi device, click on your WiFi device name.
• The WiFi status window will appear on your screen, containing all primary data, including signal strength, as shown in the image below.

Way 3: Using Command Prompt:

• You need to use the Winkey + R shortcut to open the Run dialog box on your PC.
• Then you need to type cmd and press Enter button to open the Command Prompt.
• Once the Command Prompt window appears on your screen, copy the command below, paste it into the window, and execute it.

netsh wlan show interfaces

• Once you executed the command, it will display all the data of the network connected to your device. In the above image, you can able to see the Signal strength of my connected WiFi device.

Way 4: Using PowerShell:

• You need to use the Winkey + R shortcut to open the Run dialog box on your pc.
• Then you need to type powershell and press Enter button to open the PowerShell.
• Once the powershell window appear on your screen, copy the below command, paste it into the window, and execute it.

netsh wlan show interfaces | Select-String '^\s+Signal'

• Once you execute the command, as shown in the image above, you will be able to see the signal strength of your connected WiFi device.

Conclusion:

As you can see from the above methods, my PC’s WiFi strength varied between 75% and 85%. After moving the WiFi router closer to my PC, the WiFi strength reached 100%. Now, I can browse and work on my PC without any slow connection or volatile internet, and my productivity has also increased. I recommend you follow any of the above methods to find your WiFi strength if needed. Feel free to comment below and find more tips and tricks for Windows 11 on our blog at Winsides.com.