How To Install And Use The Linux Bash Shell On Windows 10?

From our childhood, we have been learning how Windows and Linux are two different Operating Systems. What if I tell you that you can operate Linux on Windows 10? Wait! Does that mean all our childhood was a lie? No, it’s not. But you can indeed operate Linus Bash Shell on your Windows. How?? Read this article on “How To Install And Use The Linux Bash Shell On Windows 10”.

Linux Bash Shell is a subsystem developed by Microsoft and Canonical. This subsystem is fully dedicated to Linux and the users can experience the same GUI as Linux. Well, the Linux Bash Shell won’t change your Operating System., instead, you would require a Linux Kernel for that but, you can use the Linux commands on the installed Linux application. Not all the commands are accessible however if you are a student and want to learn the Linux language, it would be a better option for you.

The Linux Bash Shell was introduced to Windows 10 in the Anniversary Update. You can easily download Linux applications like Ubuntu, openSUSE Leap 42, and SUSE Linux Enterprise from the Microsoft store. But you have to activate the shell first and this article will explain each step in detail.

Can You Install Linux On Windows 10?

Yes, you can install Linux on Windows 10. But this won’t change your operating system. Instead, the application will provide you with a Graphical user interface just like the Linux Operating System. 

Yes, we know you might be having several questions in your head right now. We have tried to answer every query below.

What Is Linux Bash Shell On Windows 10?

Windows provides an inbuilt subsystem to install the Linux Bash on its Platform. This subsystem is only available on the 64-bit OS and is basically used by the students who wish to learn the Linux and Unix languages on their windows operated devices. 

You can compare this subsystem with the “Wine” on Linux. Just as Wine helps you to run windows on the Linux operating system in the same manner Linux Bash Shell allows the user to run the Linux commands on the Windows platform.

You must have observed one thing here and that is we said that it allows the users to use the Linux commands. What do you think this means? Well, let us clear a misconception!! Linux Bash changes your System to Linux Operating System.

This is a pure myth. 

For the Linux Operating system, you need to have the Linux Kernel but, it is not so when you install the bash on Windows. Instead, the software developed by Microsoft and Canonical will provide you with a GUI that works on the same binary as Linux.

This Subsystem will give you the exact GUI as Linux but there are a few limitations that you need to consider before installing it on your device.

1. It doesn’t support the background server’s softwares yet.
2. It will not work with the graphically Linux desktop application. (Well there are various tricks to do so but they are illegal and we recommend you not to do so.)
3. Not all the command lines of Linux work on this application.

Also Read, How Windows 11 Will Change Your PC – Making Your System Best Than Ever

How To Install Linux Bash Shell On Windows 10

There are several ways to install Linux Bash Shell On Windows 10. We have mentioned the simplest one for you. Well, to use the Linux Bash Shell on Windows 10 you have to turn it on. Follow the steps of the procedure given below to learn how to enable and install the Linux Bash Shell.

1. To start with the procedure, you have to open the settings on your desktop. You can open it by clicking on the Windows icon present on the bottom left corner of the screen and then clicking on the Gear icon. Or, you can also directly search for the settings in the search bar on the taskbar.
2. In the settings option, navigate to the “Update and Security” and click on it. It is usually the last option in the settings menu.
3. On the new desktop windows that appear on the screen, look at the left window pane and navigate to the “For Developers” option, and click on it.
4. On the right window pane, you will find the option that says “Developer Mode” under the “Use Developer Feature” option. Checkmark the radio button against the option.
5. Now, open the Control Panel on your device. If you are using the older version of Windows 10 then you can click the keys “Windows + X” to open a list of menus, and from the list that appears select “Control Panel”. For the people who are using the newer version of Windows 10, they can search for the Control panel in the search box on the taskbar.
6. Inside the control panel navigate to the option “Programs” and click on it.
7. Inside the option, you will again find the option, “Program and Features” click on it.
8. On the right window pane, you will find the option that says “Turn Windows Features on or off”. Click on it.
9. From the list of options that you will get on the screen. Scroll down to the option that says “Windows Subsystem For Linux (Beta)”, Checkmark the box against it and click on “OK”.
10. Now, you will get the popup to restart the windows. Click on the “Restart Now” button. 
11. After the system is rebooted, search for “The Installed Linux Application” in the search box on the taskbar. And open the Bash Application.
12. This will open the Linux Application on your device. 
13. Type “Y” and hit the enter button on the keyboard. This “Y” means yes to the install Ubuntu query.
14. Next, create the Username and Password and use them next time you log in to the LinuxBash Shell.

How To Download The Linux Application For Windows 10

Well, now, you know how to install the Application for Linux Bash Shell on Windows 10. But, do you know how to install the Linux application on your device? If not, then there is no need to panic about it.

You don’t have to go to any third-party website to download the Application for Linux Bash Shell. You will find it easily on the Microsoft store. All you have to do is follow the steps given below.

1. Open the Microsoft Store on your device and in the search box type in “Linux” and hit the enter button.
2. You will be provided with the three major Linux Bash Shell applications, they are Ubuntu, openSUSE Leap 42, and SUSE Linux Enterprise.
3. Select any one of them and click on get. (We Recommend You Ubuntu)
4. This will download and install Ubuntu on your device.
5. Now, you will open this application in the 11^th Step given above.

Also Read, How To Install Windows 11 – Update & Direct Download Links

How To Use The Linux Bash Shell With The Installed Linux Application

Now, you are aware of how to install and open the Linux application in the Linux Bash Shell. Open the application, by typing the name in the search box on the taskbar. You can also pin the application to the taskbar for easily accessing it the next time.

After you open the application, type “Y” and hit the enter key on the keyboard. This will install the Ubuntu application on the Linux Bash shell.

Now, you can use the normal Linux commands on the Linux Bash Shell. But, remember you cannot use all the commands as the Kernel of the Operating system is not Linux. It is just the Application with the Linux’s GUI that you are using.

Well, you will also be asked for the Username and the password. This will be different from your Windows Username and password. You can set it according to your wish and you require it every time you open the application.

Here is the list of the most common Linux Bash Commands that you might use in the Linux application.

Some bash Commands compared to the DOS commands

1. Delete a File: rm in Bash,  del or erase in DOS
2. Create a Directory:  mkdir in Bash, mkdir in DOS
3. Change Directory: cd in Bash, cd or  chdir in DOS
4. List Contents of Directory:  ls in Bash, dir in DOS
5. Use a Text Editor: vi or nano in Bash,  edit in DOS
6. Move or Rename a File: mv in Bash, move and  rename in DOS
7. Copy a File: cp in Bash,  copy in DOS

You need to keep in mind that the bash commands are case-sensitive. So, you have to be specific. Well given below are the few commands that will help you in updating and setting the Linux Bash Shell environment on your device

1. Download and Install the Latest Versions of Your Installed Packages: sudo apt upgrade
2. Uninstall an Application Package:  sudo apt remove packagename (Replace “packagename” with the package’s name.)
3. Download Updated Information About Available Packages: sudo apt update
4. Search for Available Packages:  sudo apt search word (Replace “word” with a word you want to search package names and descriptions for.)
5. Install an Application Package:  sudo apt install packagename (Replace “packagename” with the package’s name.)

How To Increase The User Experience On Windows Linux Bash Shell

Well, if you have planned to use the Ubuntu Linux application then we have a trick for you that will help you increase the user experience on the application. 

1. To do so install the Ubuntu Font Family from Ubuntu’s official website.
2. Open the Zip folder and locate the file “UbuntuMono-R.ttf”. Double click on the file.
3. This will open another window displaying the font. Click on “Install”.
4. This will install the Ubuntu’s Font on your device.
5. Now, press “Windows Key + R”, which will open the Run Search box. In the Search box, type “Regedit” and hit the enter button.
6. Now, in the Registry Editor’s address bar, type “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Console\TrueTypeFont”
7. Next, double click on the right window pane and select New>> String Value. And name the new value as “000”.
8. Next, double click on the string created and then enter “Ubuntu Mono” in the data value.
9. Open the Ubuntu application and right-click on the title bar and then click on Properties.
10. You will find the font tab there. Click on it and you will find Ubuntu Mono there.

Also Read, Windows 11 System Requirements – For Upgrading Windows 10

Wrap Up

You must be clear on “How to Install and Use the Linux Bash Shell”. But here are a few points that you must keep in mind before installing the Linux application on your device.

• You must have connected your desktop to a power source.
• You must have at least 25 GB of free space on your device.
• The setup requires at least 5 GB of space for the installation.
• Make sure that you have a backup of every important data on your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How Do I Use The Bash Shell In Windows 10?

The Linux environment and the commands can be accessed on Windows 10 using the Bash shell. All you have to do is type “Bash” in the search box on the taskbar. Open the bash application and this will open the command-line tool.

Q. How Do I Install Bash Shell On Windows 10?

To install Bash Shell go to the Settings >>> Update and Security >>> Developers Mode >>> Developer Feature >>> Control Panel >>> Program and Feature >>>> Turn Windows Features on or off >>> Windows Subsystem For Linux (Beta) >>> Restart >>> Ubuntu.

Q. How Do I Know The Bash Version Installed On My Windows?

Use the command, echo “${BASH_VERSION} to know the bash version installed on my windows.

Q. Is Windows 10 Better Than Linux?

When it comes to the comparison between Windows 10 and Linux, both operating systems have their pros and cons. If you consider Performance then Linux is ahead of Windows. It is fast and smooth. But, when you talk of the GUI then Windows beats Linux.

Q. What Are The Disadvantages Of Linux?

The Disadvantages of using the Linux Operating system are

1. Unsupported Hardware.
2. Poor support for games.
3. Lack of technical support.
4. Hard Learning Curve.
5. Limited market share.
6. Lack of proprietary software.
7. No standard edition.
8. Difficult to troubleshoot.