Integrating Ubuntu 24.04 with Windows 11 offers developers and tech enthusiasts a robust environment that combines the best of both worlds. With the advancements in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), particularly WSL 2, running Ubuntu alongside Windows has never been more efficient.

🚀 Why Add Ubuntu 24.04 to Your Windows 11 Setup?

1. Access to Open Source Tools

Ubuntu 24.04 provides a vast repository of open-source applications and development tools, including:

• Programming Languages: Python, Ruby, Node.js, Go
• Development Environments: VS Code, IntelliJ IDEA
• Version Control: Git, Subversion
• Containerization: Docker, Kubernetes

These tools are readily available and can be installed via simple commands like sudo apt install <package-name>.

2. Seamless Development Workflow

With WSL 2, you can:

• Run Linux commands directly from Windows
• Access Windows files from Ubuntu and vice versa
• Use Visual Studio Code with the Remote – WSL extension for a unified development experience

3. Enhanced Performance with GUI Support

Ubuntu 24.04 on WSL 2 supports GUI applications, allowing you to run Linux desktop applications like GIMP, Firefox, and more, alongside your Windows applications. This is particularly beneficial for tasks that require graphical interfaces.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Ubuntu 24.04 on Windows 11

Step 1: Enable WSL and Virtual Machine Platform

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart

2. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Step 2: Set WSL 2 as the Default Version

In PowerShell, execute:

wsl --set-default-version 2

Step 3: Install Ubuntu 24.04

You can install Ubuntu 24.04 either from the Microsoft Store or using the command line.

Via Microsoft Store:

1. Open the Microsoft Store and search for “Ubuntu 24.04”.
2. Click “Install” to begin the installation process.

Via Command Line:

wsl --install -d Ubuntu-24.04

Wait for the installation to complete.

Step 4: Set Up Ubuntu

1. Launch Ubuntu 24.04 from the Start menu.
2. Follow the on-screen prompts to create a user and set a password.

🖥️ Enhancing Ubuntu with a GUI Desktop

For a complete desktop experience, you can install a lightweight desktop environment like XFCE and access it via Remote Desktop.

Step 1: Install XFCE and XRDP

sudo apt update
sudo apt install xfce4 xfce4-goodies xrdp

Step 2: Configure XRDP to Use XFCE

1. Backup the XRDP configuration file:

sudo cp /etc/xrdp/xrdp.ini /etc/xrdp/xrdp.ini.bak

2. Edit the XRDP configuration:

sudo nano /etc/xrdp/xrdp.ini

3. Change the port to 3390:

sudo sed -i 's/3389/3390/g' /etc/xrdp/xrdp.ini

4. Start the XRDP service:

sudo /etc/init.d/xrdp start

Step 3: Connect via Remote Desktop

1. Open the Remote Desktop Connection application on Windows.
2. Enter localhost:3390 as the computer to connect to.
3. Log in using your Ubuntu credentials.

🌟 Conclusion

Integrating Ubuntu 24.04 with Windows 11 through WSL 2 provides a powerful and flexible development environment. Whether you’re working on open-source projects, experimenting with new tools, or seeking a seamless workflow between Windows and Linux, this setup offers the best of both worlds.

For a visual walkthrough, check out this tutorial:

How To Run Ubuntu 24.04 on Windows 11 Using WSL