How to install and run Ubuntu Bash on Windows 10

Hello developers! Yes, this guide is made especially for you. Today, we will discuss Bash and tell you how to run on it Windows 10 without installing virtual machine or using dual boot: you would be able to run it from inside Windows and use it to interact with the files on your current partition (not a different one)!

What’s Bash?

Bash is Ubuntu’s terminal, a Unix shell where the users can type commands that cause actions. It can be used to read files, execute commands from a script…etc. It contains its own compilers so you won’t need external ones to compile and test your code.

Some famous command lines are ssh, git, apt. You will be able to use them all as if you were on an Ubuntu machine.

So, when you run Bash on your Windows 10, it allows you to install and run Linux programs on your Windows 10 machine, it’s the opposite of Wine which allows you to run Windows applications on Linux machines.

How to install Bash on Windows 10

Important Note! This only works on Windows 10 64-bit machines, so if you’re using a 32-bit version, maybe it’s time to switch to the 64-bit version (your machine must be compatible to it of course). If you have no idea which version are you running, you may need to take a look at this guide:

How do I find out if my Windows 10 is 32-bit or 64-bit

Now, follow these steps to enable the Linux Subsystem feature:

  • Open Settings from your start menu.
  • Select Update & Security.
  • Head to For developers from the left pane.
  • Activate the Developer mode.
  • Close your settings windows and head to your traditional Control Panel.
  • Search for programs and select Programs and Features.
  • From the left pane, select Turn Windows features on or off.
  • Now scroll down until you see Windows Subsystem for Linux, check it and select OK.
  • You’ll be asked to restart your computer, do it so that you can start using Bash.

Now after your computer is restarted, follow these steps to download and install Bash:

  • Open Store from your start menu or taskbar.
  • Search for Ubuntu and select it.
  • Select Get or Install to download it to your computer (The approximate size is 195.6 MB).
  • Once your download finishes, you’ll get a notification like this one:
  • Now to start installing it, type Ubuntu in your start menu and select Ubuntu.
  • A cmd screen will appear with the installation process on it.
  • When the installation finishes, you’ll be asked to enter your Unix username.
  • Enter your password and retype it (You won’t be able to see it, stars will not appear either so don’t worry)

That’s it, now whenever you want to run your Bash, either select your Ubuntu from your Start menu or type “bash” (without the quotations) in your command prompt.

What’s new in the Fall Creators Update

Well, Bash started to be a Windows 10 feature since the anniversary update in 2016. But now after the latest Fall Creators Update:

  • Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is no longer a Beta feature.
  • You can now install Linux distros via the Windows Store: just download other distros of Linux like openSUSE, and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server and run them alongside one another (You can always download them from the store):
  • WSL no longer requires developer mode (The first 4 steps in this guide are not required if you have the latest Windows 10 version).
  • WSL comes to Windows Server & Microsoft Azure VM’s.
  • WSL now supports USB/serial comms.
  • Many miscellaneous fixes and improvements.

To learn more about the Fall Creators Update, please check this guide!

What’s new in the Fall Creators update and how to get it?

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.