Unleash the Power of Bash on Windows 10 - Learn How to Install and Set it Up Fast!

Bash is a Unix shell and command language that has been widely used on Linux and other Unix-based operating systems for decades. It offers powerful text manipulation features, a wealth of built-in utilities, and a flexible scripting language that can be used for automation and other tasks.

Now, with the release of Windows 10, Bash can also be installed and run natively on Microsoft’s flagship operating system. This is made possible by the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), which allows Linux applications to be run directly on Windows without the need for virtualization or other emulators.

If you are a Windows user who wants to tap into the power of Bash, here is a step-by-step guide on how to install and set it up on your system.

Step 1: Enable the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

Before you can use Bash, you need to enable the WSL feature in Windows 10. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Start menu and search for “Windows Features.”

  2. Click on “Turn Windows Features On or Off.”

  3. Scroll down and find “Windows Subsystem for Linux.”

  4. Check the box next to it and click “OK.”

  5. Restart your computer.

Step 2: Install Bash on Windows 10

Once you have enabled the WSL feature, you can now install Bash on your Windows 10 system. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open the Microsoft Store.

  2. Search for “Bash on Ubuntu on Windows.”

  3. Click on the “Get” button to download and install the application.

Step 3: Set up Bash on Windows 10

After you have installed Bash, you can now set it up to work the way you want. Here are some basic steps you can take to get started:

  1. Open Bash by typing “bash” in the Start menu or by launching it from the Microsoft Store.

  2. You will be prompted to create a user account and set a password for it. Follow the prompts to do so.

  3. Once you have created your account, you can start using Bash just like you would on a Linux system. You can run commands, install packages, and even use your favorite text editor or IDE.

Conclusion

With Bash on Windows 10, you can tap into the power and flexibility of Unix-based systems without the need for dual-booting or virtual machines. By following these simple steps, you can unleash the full potential of Bash on your Windows 10 system in no time. So why wait? Start exploring the world of Bash today and discover all the amazing things you can do with it!

This article explains how to install and setup bash to use Linux commands on the 64-bit version of Windows 10.

What to Know

  • Developer Mode: Right-click Start menu > select Settings > Update & Security > For developers.Next: Select Developer mode > Yes > enable Windows Subsystem For Linux > restart.Use bash: Right-click Start menu > select Windows PowerShell (Admin) > type “bash” > press Enter.

How to Turn on Windows Developer Mode

To enable developer functions for Windows:

  • Right-click the Start menu and select Settings.
  • Select Update & Security.
  • Select For developers on the left side.
  • Select Developer mode.
  • Select Yes to confirm, then wait for the developer package to install.
  • Type Windows Features in the desktop search bar and select Turn Windows Features On Or Off.
  • Check the box beside Windows Subsystem For Linux and select OK.
  • Select Restart now in the dialog box to reboot your computer to apply the changes.

How to Use Bash in Windows

After your computer reboots, you’re ready to set up bash for Windows:

Right-click the Start menu and select Settings.

Select Update & Security.

Select For developers on the left side.

Select Developer mode.

Select Yes to confirm, then wait for the developer package to install.

Type Windows Features in the desktop search bar and select Turn Windows Features On Or Off.

Check the box beside Windows Subsystem For Linux and select OK.

Select Restart now in the dialog box to reboot your computer to apply the changes.

  • Go to the Microsoft Store and select the Linux distribution of your choice. Install it then launch it.
  • Wait for the distribution to finish installing, then create a username in the command window and press Enter. During the first-run process, you’ll have to engage in some basic configuration, depending on the distribution. Often, you must specify a username and password.
  • After the installation is successful, close the window and right-click the Start menu, then select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  • You may be prompted to enter your Windows administrator password.
  • Type bash in the terminal window and press Enter.

You now have a core version of Ubuntu installed on your system without any graphical desktops or subsystem. Therefore, you can now use Linux commands to communicate with the Windows file structure. Anytime you want to run the Linux command line, open the PowerShell or the command prompt and enter bash.

Go to the Microsoft Store and select the Linux distribution of your choice. Install it then launch it.

Wait for the distribution to finish installing, then create a username in the command window and press Enter. During the first-run process, you’ll have to engage in some basic configuration, depending on the distribution. Often, you must specify a username and password.

After the installation is successful, close the window and right-click the Start menu, then select Windows PowerShell (Admin).

You may be prompted to enter your Windows administrator password.

Type bash in the terminal window and press Enter.

What You Need to Install Bash on Windows

To run bash, your computer needs to be running a 64-bit version of Windows with a version number no lower than 14393, so update Windows 10 to the latest version before you begin. In order to run the Linux shell, you need to turn on Windows developer mode and enable the Linux subsystem.

Access the Control Panel to tell if you’re running the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.

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