Windows Subsystem for Linux

Installing

In PowerShell:

wsl --install   # will install Ubuntu by default

To install Fedora:

wsl --install FedoraLinux-43

To choose from other distros:

wsl --install --no-distribution
wsl --list --online

List installed distros

wsl --list --verbose    # --verbose is optional

Check WSL version

wsl --version

Update WSL

wsl --update

Check WSL status

wsl --status

Terminate

wsl --terminate <distro name>

Shutdown (terminate all running distros)

wsl --shutdown

Uninstall a distro

wsl --unregister <distro name>

Windows Terminal customization

In the settings JSON file:

"profiles":
{
    "defaults": 
    {
        "colorScheme": "One Half Dark",
        "opacity": 50,
        "useAcrylic": true
    }
}

For my own OCD

I want to keep a shortcut to the Fedora WSL in my taskbar, but when it opens, the icon in Windows Terminal is not Fedora's icon. Here is a quick workaround.

First, drag Fedora from start menu to task bar. Then, right click on the task bar shortcut and change the properties. In the "target" field, enter:

wt.exe --profile "<the WSL profile>"

Now enjoy the icon consistency!