Linux & WSL: A Beginner-Friendly Guide

Table of Contents

1. Part 1: A Brief Overview of Linux

   • What Is Linux?
   • Why Learn Linux?
   • Popular Linux Distributions

2. Part 2: Practicing Linux on Windows with WSL

   • Introduction to WSL
   • Step-by-Step Installation (Windows 11)
   • Choosing a Distribution
   • Installing Distributions
   • Manual Installation (CentOS Stream)
   • Switching Between WSL Distributions

3. Part 3: Integrating with VS Code and Windows

4. Part 4: What’s Next?

Part 1: A Brief Overview of Linux

What Is Linux?

Linux is an open-source operating system and a free alternative to Windows and macOS. Created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds, Linux is based on Unix principles.

Technically, Linux refers to the kernel—the core component that manages hardware and system resources. In everyday usage, however, it usually means a complete operating system known as a Linux distribution (distro), which bundles the kernel with system utilities, libraries, and often a desktop environment.

Why Learn Linux?

Server and Cloud Dominance

Most web servers, databases, and cloud platforms—AWS, Azure, and GCP—run on Linux. If you work in backend, DevOps, or cloud engineering, Linux is not optional; it’s essential.

The Power of the Command Line

Linux provides a powerful command-line interface (CLI) that enables scripting and automation. This allows developers and system administrators to manage systems efficiently and at scale—often faster and more precisely than with a GUI.

Open Source and Customization

Linux is open-source, meaning its code is freely available to inspect and modify. This encourages community-driven innovation, strong security practices, and deep customization, letting users tailor systems to their exact needs.

Popular Linux Distributions

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) – Enterprise-grade stability, security, and long-term support (subscription-based).
• CentOS (Legacy) – Previously a free RHEL clone; now replaced by CentOS Stream and community forks like Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux.
• Ubuntu – User-friendly, widely adopted, and backed by a massive community.
• Debian – Extremely stable and community-focused; the foundation for many other distros.
• Fedora – Cutting-edge features and technologies, sponsored by Red Hat.
• Linux Mint – Desktop-focused, Windows-friendly UX based on Ubuntu.
• Kali Linux – Debian-based distro for penetration testing and digital forensics, maintained by Offensive Security.

Part 2: Practicing Linux on Windows with WSL

Introduction to WSL

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows you to run a real Linux environment directly on Windows—without dual booting or heavy virtual machines.

WSL is lightweight and deeply integrated with Windows:

• Access Windows files from Linux
• Launch Windows apps from Linux
• Near-native performance

WSL 2 is the recommended version, using a real Linux kernel inside a lightweight VM for full system call compatibility.

Step-by-Step Installation (Windows 11)

Step 1: Check Your Windows Version

Ensure you’re running Windows 11:

1. Press Win + R
2. Type winver
3. Press Enter

Choosing a Distribution

Official Microsoft Store Options

• Ubuntu (LTS) – Best for beginners and the default WSL distro
• Debian – Stable and minimal
• Kali Linux – Security and pentesting
• openSUSE – Available as Leap (stable) or Tumbleweed (rolling)
• Oracle Linux – Enterprise-focused, RHEL-compatible
• AlmaLinux – Community-driven RHEL clone

Installing Distributions

Method 1: Microsoft Store

1. Open the Microsoft Store
2. Search for the distro name (e.g., Ubuntu)
3. Click Install

**

Method 2: Command Line

wsl --list --online
wsl --install -d <DistroName>

wsl --list --online
wsl --install -d <DistroName>

Manual Installation: CentOS Stream

CentOS Stream is not available directly from the Microsoft Store and must be installed manually.

Prerequisites

• WSL 2 enabled
• A dedicated directory (e.g., C:\WSL\CentOS-Stream)

Import Method

1. Download a trusted CentOS Stream .tar.xz image
2. Open PowerShell as Administrator
3. Run:

wsl --import CentOS-Stream C:\WSL\CentOS-Stream C:\path\CentOS-Stream.tar.xz --version 2

Initial Setup

• Launch with: wsl -d CentOS-Stream
• Create a non-root user
• Add user to the wheel group
• Configure /etc/wsl.conf to set the default user

Switching Between WSL Distributions

Method 1: Command Line

wsl -d Ubuntu
wsl -d kali-linux

Method 2: Set a Default Distro

wsl --list --verbose
wsl --set-default kali-linux

Method 3: Windows Terminal (GUI)

• Open Windows Terminal
• Click the dropdown arrow next to +
• Select your distro

Part 3: Integrating with VS Code and Windows

Working with VS Code

1. Install Remote – WSL extension
2. From WSL terminal:

code .

VS Code will open connected directly to your Linux filesystem.

Navigating Files

• Windows → Linux: \wsl.localhost
• Linux → Windows: /mnt/c, /mnt/d, etc.

Part 4: What’s Next?

Learn Shell Scripting

• Bash variables
• Conditionals (if)
• Loops (for, while)

Explore More Distros

• Kali Linux for security
• Debian for stability
• Fedora for cutting-edge tech

Join the Community

• Forums, Discord, Reddit (r/linux)

Hands-on Projects

• Configure Nginx or Apache
• Build a Flask/Django app
• Manage code with Git

Your WSL environment is a powerful learning sandbox. Experiment, break things, fix them—and enjoy the Linux journey 🚀