This guide walks you through installing and setting up a Fedora Linux environment on Windows using the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).
Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure:
- You are using Windows 10 or Windows 11
- You have administrative access on your system
- Internet connection is available
Step 1: Enable WSL and Required Features
WSL depends on specific Windows features. You need to enable them first.
Actions:
- Open the Windows search bar
- Search for: Turn Windows features on or off
- Open it
Enable the following:
- Windows Subsystem for Linux
- Virtual Machine Platform
- Windows Hypervisor Platform
- Click OK
- Restart your system if prompted
Step 2: Verify WSL Installation
After enabling the required features, confirm WSL is available.
Run in Command Prompt:
wsl.exe --list --online
What this does:
- Lists all available Linux distributions you can install
Step 3: Install Fedora Linux (WSL Distribution)
Install Fedora directly from the available WSL distributions.
Run:
wsl --install FedoraLinux-43
What this does:
- Downloads and installs Fedora Linux version 43 inside WSL
Step 4: Launch Fedora for the First Time
Once installation is complete, you can start Fedora.
Option 1: From Command Line
wsl -d FedoraLinux-43
Option 2: From Start Menu
- Open Windows Start Menu
- Search for Fedora
- Click to launch
Step 5: Set Up Your User Account
On first launch, Fedora will prompt you to create a user.
You will:
- Enter a username
- Set a password
What this does:
- Creates your working Linux user environment
- Sets up your home directory
Step 6: Update Fedora System
After login, update all system packages.
Run:
sudo dnf update -y
What this does:
- Updates all installed packages to the latest versions
- Ensures system stability and compatibility
Step-by-Step Video Guide on How to Install Fedora Linux using WSL
Here’s a recording video I made with clear steps, easy to follow and complete walkthrough on how to complete the set-up, from start to finish.
WSL Versions and Compatibility Overview
When running Fedora on Windows using Windows Subsystem for Linux, it is important to understand the differences between WSL versions and how they behave across Windows 10 and Windows 11.
WSL1 vs WSL2
WSL1
- Translates Linux system calls into Windows system calls
- Lightweight and fast for simple tasks
- Limited compatibility with modern Linux applications
- Does not use a real Linux kernel
WSL2
- Uses a real Linux kernel running in a lightweight virtual machine
- Significantly better compatibility with Linux software
- Improved filesystem performance (especially for Linux-side operations)
- Required for most modern development workflows
GUI Support
One major improvement in WSL2 is support for graphical Linux applications:
- WSL1
- No native GUI support
- Requires third-party tools (e.g., X servers)
- WSL2
- Supports GUI applications
- On Windows 11, GUI support is built-in via WSLg
- On Windows 10, requires manual setup
Windows 10 vs Windows 11
Windows 10
- Supports both WSL1 and WSL2
- WSL2 is recommended
- GUI applications require additional configuration
Windows 11
- Best overall experience for WSL
- Built-in support for Linux GUI apps (WSLg)
- Better integration between Windows and Linux environments
Recommendation
For running Fedora or any modern Linux distribution:
- Use WSL2 for better compatibility and performance
- Prefer Windows 11 for the most seamless experience, especially if GUI applications are needed
Summary
You have successfully:
- Enabled WSL on Windows
- Installed Fedora Linux
- Created a user environment
- Updated your system
Your Fedora environment is now ready for development, experimentation, and further setup.
Next Steps (Optional)
You can now proceed to:
- Install development tools (Git, Python, Podman)
- Set up project environments
- Begin working with Linux-native workflows
Welcome to FEDORA! and If you have any question, please leave it in the comments