Enable Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL 2) using Command Prompt & PowerShell

Vigneshwaran Vijayakumar — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 14:04:00 +0000

Enable WSL 2 using CMD & PowerShell: If you are running Windows 11, to run a different environment like a Linux Distro, one usually has to depend on third-party applications like VirtualBox, etc. However, Windows offers Native applications, such as the Hypervisor Platform, which support virtual environments. Additionally, Windows provides Windows Subsystem for Linux, a feature that allows users to download and install Linux Distributions like Ubuntu hassle-free on the Windows OS itself. This latest article will guide you through the steps on How to Enable WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) on Windows 11 using the Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell (CLI Method). We have also covered an article that explains How to enable WSL 2 using Windows Features (GUI Method). Let’s get started.

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

Windows Editions	Availability
Windows Servers	Yes
Windows 11 Home	Yes
Windows 11 Professional	Yes
Windows 11 Education	Yes
Windows 11 Enterprise	Yes
Windows 11 Pro Education	Yes
Windows 11 SE	No
Windows 11 IoT Enterprise	No

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.

Run Command Prompt as Administrator

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

WSL 2 Enable Command via CMD

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.

The System is enabling WSL 2

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

Operation Completed Successfully

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

Command to Enable Virtual Machine Platform using Command Prompt

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

Virtual Machine Platform Enabled Successfully

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.

Install your desired Linux Distribution as a WSL App

Decoding WSL 2 CMD Command

Decoding WSL 2 Enable 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.

Run PowerShell as Administrator

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

Command to enable WSL 2 using Windows PowerShell

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.

WSL 2 Enabled via PowerShell

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

PowerShell command to enable Windows Virtual Machine Platform

The system will enable Virtual Machine Platform now.

Virtual Machine Platform Enabled via Windows PowerShell

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

Decoding WSL 2 Enable Windows 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

Why do I need to enable “Microsoft Windows Subsystem for Linux”?

This is the core optional feature that allows Windows to recognize Linux binary formats.

How can I verify if I am using WSL 1 or WSL 2?

It is common for older installations to stay on version 1. To check the version of your installed distributions, run: wsl --list --verbose (or wsl -l -v) Look at the “Version” column. If it shows “1,” you should upgrade it to take advantage of full system call compatibility and increased file I/O performance.

How do I set WSL 2 as the default for all future installations?

If you plan on installing multiple distributions (like Kali, Debian, or Alpine), you should ensure they always default to version 2. Execute: wsl --set-default-version 2 This ensures that any new distro downloaded from the Microsoft Store will automatically use the WSL 2 architecture.

How do I convert an existing WSL 1 distribution to WSL 2?

If you already have a Linux environment set up and don’t want to lose your files, you can convert it in-place. Use the following syntax: wsl --set-version 2

What should I do if I get an “Error: 0x80370102” during setup?

This error typically means that Hardware Virtualization is disabled in your computer’s BIOS/UEFI settings. Even if you enable the features in Windows, the CPU must have “Intel VT-x” or “AMD-V” turned on at the firmware level. You can check this in the Performance tab of Task Manager under “Virtualization: Enabled.”

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!

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