WSL2 Complete Setup Guide 2026: Linux on Windows the Right Way

# Install WSL2 with Ubuntu (default)
wsl --install

# Choose specific distro
wsl --install -d Ubuntu-24.04

# List available
wsl --list --online

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install -y build-essential curl git wget unzip

# Python 3.12
sudo apt install -y python3.12 python3.12-venv python3-pip

# Node.js 22 via nvm
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.7/install.sh | bash
source ~/.bashrc
nvm install 22 && nvm use 22

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "you@example.com"
git config --global core.autocrlf input
git config --global init.defaultBranch main

# SSH key for GitHub
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "you@example.com"
cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub  # add to GitHub Settings > SSH Keys

# After Docker Desktop WSL2 integration enabled:
docker --version
docker run hello-world

# Or install Docker Engine directly
curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
newgrp docker

# C: drive at /mnt/c
ls /mnt/c/Users/YourName/Desktop

# Navigate to Windows project
cd /mnt/c/Users/YourName/Projects/myapp

# Open VS Code from WSL2
code .

# Open Windows Explorer from WSL2
explorer.exe .

[wsl2]
memory=8GB
processors=4
swap=2GB
localhostForwarding=true

# Apply new config
wsl --shutdown
# Reopen Ubuntu