# Windows Subsystem for Linux

Application: Microsoft Corporation

Also called wsl2, windows subsystem for linux, wsl.exe

Microsoft Corporation, System

wsl.exe plus a Linux distro on Windows. WSL 2 uses a lightweight VM. It is not a Linux dual-boot.

## What you need to know

WSL is Linux on Windows. It is not a dual-boot.

wsl.exe launches a distro. WSL 2 uses a lightweight VM. Your Windows install stays the OS. Dual-boot is a different disk layout.

- **What is it?**: Linux distro on Windows via wsl.exe

  **Dual-boot?**: No. Windows stays the OS

  **WSL 2?**: Yes. A lightweight VM, not a second disk

Feex says

If vmmemWSL is huge, I run wsl --shutdown. I do not treat that RAM as a dual-boot Linux install, and I do not delete wsl.exe.

## What is Windows Subsystem for Linux?

WSL is wsl.exe plus one or more distros. WSL 2 guest RAM shows as vmmem or vmmemWSL. Closing a terminal is not a dual-boot reboot and not a full VM shutdown until you run wsl --shutdown.

## If you have never used it

If you want Linux tools on Windows without dual-booting, run wsl --install from an admin prompt. That enables WSL and usually installs Ubuntu. You still have Windows as the OS. This is not a second disk of Linux, and it is not a VirtualBox guest you created.

## What is it used for?

**Linux CLI on Windows**

apt, bash, and Linux toolchains. You did not dual-boot. Files still live under Windows too.

**WSL 2 lightweight VM**

A utility VM, not Hyper-V Manager guests you created, and not a second OS on another partition.

**Distro from Store or wsl --install -d**

Ubuntu is the default. You can add Debian or others. Each distro is not a dual-boot entry.

## Who is it for?

- Developers who want bash without leaving Windows
- People who thought WSL would replace a Linux install on another disk
- Users who see vmmemWSL and wonder if they booted Linux

## Current status

Windows Subsystem for Linux (2016) is a current linux on windows from Microsoft Corporation. The vendor still points Windows users at https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/wsl/install.

## How old is it?

WSL 1 (2016) translated Linux syscalls. WSL 2 (2019) runs a real kernel in a lightweight VM. Current installs default to WSL 2. A 2017 WSL 1-only guide is stale for most PCs.

## Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

WSL 2

WSL 1

## System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

### Minimum

| Operating system | Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later, or Windows 11, per Microsoft Learn |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| RAM              | Enough for Windows plus this app. Heavy projects want more.                        |

## Resource profile

- **CPU demand**: Follows what you open inside the app

  **RAM demand**: Follows documents, tabs, or libraries

## Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

| wsl.exe     | Main Windows executable   |
| ----------- | ------------------------- |
| wslhost.exe | Per-distro interop helper |

## Startup components

WslService starts on demand when a client connects. wsl.exe is not a required Startup Apps entry.

## File locations

| Typical install | C:\Windows\System32\wsl.exe |
| --------------- | --------------------------- |

## Common problems

### Thought they dual-booted

Windows is still running. WSL is a subsystem plus, on WSL 2, a utility VM. No boot menu change.

### RAM stays after the Ubuntu window closes

The WSL 2 VM can idle. wsl --shutdown releases vmmemWSL. Closing the tab is not enough.

## Getting unstuck

### wsl --install from an elevated prompt, then restart if asked

Learn documents this. You do not download a "WSL full" exe from a forum.

### wsl -l -v to see Running versus Stopped

Set WSL 2 with wsl --set-version. That is still not a dual-boot flag.

### wsl --shutdown when vmmemWSL should leave

See the wsl.exe process article. Do not delete vmmem.

## Alternatives

A real dual-boot is a second OS on disk. VirtualBox and Hyper-V run full guests. Git Bash is not a Linux kernel.

## Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

| Download           | [learn.microsoft.com/windows/wsl/install ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/wsl/install)Official installer or vendor page          |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Help               | [learn.microsoft.com/windows/wsl/ ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/wsl/)Vendor support                                           |
| Official site      | [learn.microsoft.com/windows/wsl/install ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/wsl/install)Start here, not a random exe host          |
| Basic WSL commands | [learn.microsoft.com/windows/wsl/basic-commands ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/wsl/basic-commands)wsl -l -v and wsl --shutdown |

## Related hardware

WSL 2 wants virtualization in firmware. RAM caps can be set in .wslconfig. This is not Feex inventing extra sensors.

## Technical details

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[wsl.exe: Application Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/wsl.exe)[Hyper-V: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/hyper-v)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [Windows Subsystem for Linux official site ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/wsl/install)· Vendor product page
- [Windows Subsystem for Linux help ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/wsl/)· Vendor support
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.

Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Developer**: Microsoft Corporation

  **Category**: Linux on Windows

  **Process**: [wsl.exe](https://feex.it/wiki/process/wsl.exe)

  **License**: Included with supported Windows. Distros have their own licenses

  **First released**: 2016

  **Official site**: [Microsoft Learn: install WSL](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/wsl/install)

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

---

Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/wsl/)

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