Skip to content

Windows WSL2

wsl

The Windows Subsystem for Linux is a compatibility layer for running Linux-based elements natively on Windows 10 or Windows 11 systems. It is worth choosing to use WSL if you do not want to install native Ubuntu (e.g., 18.04 / 22.04) on your computers. The system used in the course can be created in several ways:

  • Installing WSL and importing a Snapshot link
  • Installing WSL and installing ROS using a Script link

Installing WSL and importing a Snapshot

Video tutorial:

Steps in the video:

  1. WSL snapshot (backup file) download:: WSL snapshot letöltése ~2.5 GB
  2. Extract the snapshot .zip >> .tar
  3. Powershell (Admin) enable WSL feature, then install WSL: 
    Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux

    wsl --install --no-distribution
  4. Powershell, import WSL Snapshot file (tar): 
    wsl --import ajr1 .\ajr1\ .\ajr24a.tar
  5. Install VS Code and WSL extension:

wsl03

!!! danger The wsl -l -v command lists the installed WSL versions. The VERSION column must be 2, otherwise, an outdated version of WSL has been installed. Example of correct output: bash NAME STATE VERSION Ubuntu Stopped 2 Ubuntu-22.04 Stopped 2 Ubuntu-24.04 Running 2 ajr1 Stopped 2 If the VERSION column shows 1, you can update the version with the wsl --update command. ```

In the Windows Terminal program, it is recommended to set the Default Profile to ajr1 so that the program always starts with this profile. Additionally, the Open windows from previous session setting can be useful to start the program in the last state (e.g., with multiple panels).

wsl04

You can then create panels with the Alt+Shift+minus or Alt+Shift+plus key combinations. This splits the terminal window (Split pane) into multiple sections vertically or horizontally.

wsl05

Installing WSL and installing ROS using a Script

Video tutorial for installing WSL on Windows 11 (Windows 10 version below, but with largely similar content):

Steps in the video:

  • Open a PowerShell window as an administrator.
  • Copy and paste the following command to enable WSL: 
    Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux
  • Restart the computer by typing Y. (optional)
  • Open the Microsoft Store and search for Windows Subsystem for Linux Preview. Install it.
  • Also, in the Microsoft Store, search for Ubuntu 22.04 and install it, or PowerShell (Admin): 
    wsl --install -d Ubuntu-22.04
  • For easier management, it is recommended to install the Windows Terminal program. Search for Windows Terminal in the Microsoft Store and install it.
  • Start the Windows Terminal program and open the settings with the Ctrl+, (Control and comma) key combination. From the drop-down list in the Default Profile setting, select Ubuntu 22.04.
  • Restart the Windows Terminal. On the first start, provide a username and password of your choice.
  • We recommend using the VS Code editor for developing the solution. Install it from here: code.visualstudio.com/download
  • Finally, install the VS Code Remote Development extension to make it accessible using WSL: marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ms-vscode-remote.vscode-remote-extensionpack

The video tutorial for installing WSL on Windows 10 is available here:

You can find a guide for installing VS Code here: