how do i check my wsl version with code examples

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a compatibility layer for running Linux binary executables natively on Windows 10. The WSL enables users to run native Linux tools and utilities directly on Windows. It allows users to run Linux shell scripts, install Linux applications, and access Linux files on Windows. In this article, we will show you how to check your WSL version with code examples.

There are several ways to check your WSL version, including using the Windows Command Prompt, Windows PowerShell, and the Linux terminal.

1. Windows Command Prompt:
   To check the version of WSL using the Windows Command Prompt, follow these steps:
2. Open the Windows Command Prompt.
3. Type the following command and press Enter:

wsl -l -v

The output will show you a list of installed WSL distributions and their version numbers. For example:

  NAME                   STATE           VERSION
* Ubuntu-20.04           Running         2
  Debian                  Running         2

In this example, the WSL version for Ubuntu-20.04 is 2.

2. Windows PowerShell:
   To check the version of WSL using Windows PowerShell, follow these steps:
3. Open Windows PowerShell.
4. Type the following command and press Enter:

Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux

The output will show you the state and version of WSL. For example:

Path      : Online\Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux
State     : Enabled
DisplayName : Windows Subsystem for Linux
Description : Enables support for running Linux binary executables natively on Windows
RestartNeeded : No
WSL Version : 2

In this example, the WSL version is 2.

3. Linux Terminal:
   To check the version of WSL using the Linux terminal, follow these steps:
4. Open the Linux terminal.
5. Type the following command and press Enter:

lsb_release -a

The output will show you the version and release information of your Linux distribution. For example:

No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description:    Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
Release:        20.04
Codename:       focal

In this example, the Linux distribution is Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

In conclusion, checking your WSL version is important to ensure compatibility with your Linux tools and utilities. The WSL version can be checked using the Windows Command Prompt, Windows PowerShell, or the Linux terminal. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily determine the version of WSL that you are using.
Adjacent topics to checking the WSL version include:

1. Installing WSL:
   WSL can be installed on Windows 10 via the Microsoft Store or using the Windows Features control panel. To install WSL using the Microsoft Store, follow these steps:
2. Open the Microsoft Store.
3. Search for "Windows Subsystem for Linux".
4. Click on the "Windows Subsystem for Linux" result and click "Get".
5. Click "Install".
6. Wait for the installation to complete and then click "Launch".

To install WSL using the Windows Features control panel, follow these steps:

1. Open the Windows Features control panel.

2. Check the box next to "Windows Subsystem for Linux".

3. Click "OK".

4. Restart your computer if prompted.

5. Installing Linux distributions:
   Once WSL is installed, you can install a Linux distribution from the Microsoft Store. To install a Linux distribution, follow these steps:

6. Open the Microsoft Store.

7. Search for a Linux distribution, such as Ubuntu or Debian.

8. Click on the Linux distribution that you want to install and click "Get".

9. Click "Install".

10. Wait for the installation to complete and then click "Launch".

11. Using WSL:
    WSL provides a Linux terminal environment within Windows. To use WSL, follow these steps:

12. Open the Windows Start menu and search for "Ubuntu" or the name of the Linux distribution that you have installed.

13. Click on the Linux distribution to launch it.

14. The Linux terminal will open and you can start using Linux tools and utilities.

15. Upgrading WSL:
    To upgrade WSL to a newer version, follow these steps:

16. Open the Microsoft Store.

17. Search for "Windows Subsystem for Linux".

18. Click on the "Windows Subsystem for Linux" result and click "Get".

19. Click "Install".

20. Wait for the installation to complete and then click "Launch".

Note: Upgrading WSL will not affect your Linux distributions or installed applications.

In conclusion, WSL provides a convenient way to run Linux tools and utilities on Windows. By installing WSL, installing a Linux distribution, and using the Linux terminal, you can enjoy the benefits of both Windows and Linux. And by checking your WSL version and upgrading when necessary, you can ensure compatibility with the latest Linux tools and utilities.

Popular questions

1. What is Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)?
   Answer: WSL is a compatibility layer for running Linux binary executables natively on Windows 10. It enables users to run Linux tools and utilities directly on Windows, run Linux shell scripts, install Linux applications, and access Linux files on Windows.

2. How can I check my WSL version in the Windows Command Prompt?
   Answer: To check the version of WSL in the Windows Command Prompt, open the Command Prompt and type the following command: wsl -l -v. The output will show you a list of installed WSL distributions and their version numbers.

3. How can I check my WSL version in Windows PowerShell?
   Answer: To check the version of WSL in Windows PowerShell, open Windows PowerShell and type the following command: Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux. The output will show you the state and version of WSL.

4. How can I check my WSL version in the Linux terminal?
   Answer: To check the version of WSL in the Linux terminal, open the Linux terminal and type the following command: lsb_release -a. The output will show you the version and release information of your Linux distribution.

5. What should I do if I want to upgrade my WSL version?
   Answer: To upgrade your WSL version, open the Microsoft Store, search for "Windows Subsystem for Linux", click on the result, click "Get", click "Install", wait for the installation to complete, and then click "Launch". Note: Upgrading WSL will not affect your Linux distributions or installed applications.

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WSL-versioning