• Install WSL

  • In PowerShell 

    • wsl --install

  • Install the default distribution of Linux “Ubuntu”

  • Install WSL https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install

• AFTER INSTALLING WSL YOU WILL NEED TO RESTART YOUR COMPUTER

• Helpful guide to installing WSL with pictures https://contabo.com/blog/how-to-install-wsl2-on-windows-10/  

• Helpful instructions to install wsl https://yizhang82.dev/set-up-wsl2  

• Another helpful guide on installing WSL and Linux using graphical user interface https://www.cs.cornell.edu/courses/cs2043/2024sp/styled-2/  

• Setting up linux user using WSL https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/setup/environment

• Set up Docker for WSL https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/tutorials/wsl-containers  

• Set up Git on WSL https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/tutorials/wsl-git  

• NOTE: When you enable WSL and install a Linux distribution, you are installing a new file system, separated from the Windows NTFS C:\ drive on your machine. Aka installing Git on WSL does not install Git in Windows and vise versa

• Install Docker Desktop

  • Use winget again

    • • You may need to agree to the source agreements again first, just type Y

  • Or install using this link: https://docs.docker.com/desktop/setup/install/windows-install/  

  • Once installed, open Docker Desktop and click on the cog wheel to access settings

  • Click on Resources in the sidebar

  • Click on WSL Integration on the sidebar

  • Ensure that the box next to “Enable integration with my default WSL distro” is checked

  • Click the toggle for “Enable integration with additional distros:” to turn it on as well for good measure

  • Click “Apply and Restart”

  • Note: for some unknown reason quitting docker desktop does not actually end the program and tasks, you have to end the tasks in task manager to fully shut it down or you need to quit docker from the hidden icons in the taskbar

  •  

• Install Git 

  • Use winget

  • Or install from this link: https://gitforwindows.org/  

    • For mac https://github.com/git-guides/install-git  

Install Terminal (Optional)

• Install Windows Terminal (nice interface, very customizable, can run PowerShell, WSL, and Ubuntu all at the same time because its a shell emulator)

  • https://www.reddit.com/r/windows/comments/1b11hzf/what_is_the_difference_between_windows_terminal/

• Windows Terminal is installed by default in Windows 11

Note: for silent install use msiexec, see more at https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/msiexec t

Note to obtain computer specifications

• In PowerShell on Windows 

  • Will tell you all the specifications of your operating system

• Or command

  • Will only tell you the name of the operating system (i.e. Microsoft Windows 11 Pro)