How to Run Linux GUI Apps Natively on Windows 11 using WSL

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) has revolutionised the way developers work on Windows machines. Previously, running Linux applications on Windows required complex dual-boot setups or resource-heavy virtual machines. With WSL 2, Windows 11 allows you to run a full Linux environment directly on your desktop. Even better, you can now run Linux Graphical User Interface (GUI) applications natively, right alongside your standard Windows programs.

This capability, known as WSLg (Windows Subsystem for Linux GUI), is built directly into Windows 11. It provides a seamless experience, integrating Linux apps into the Windows Start menu and taskbar, and even supports audio and hardware-accelerated 3D graphics. In this guide, you will learn how to set up WSL and run your favourite Linux GUI applications.

Prerequisites

To run Linux GUI apps, your system must meet a few basic requirements:

Operating System: Windows 11 (Build 22000 or higher) or Windows 10 v21H2 (Build 19044 or higher).
Hardware Virtualisation: Must be enabled in your computer’s BIOS/UEFI settings.
Graphics Driver: To take advantage of hardware-accelerated graphics in Linux apps, ensure you have the latest drivers installed for your GPU (Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA).

Step 1: Install WSL and a Linux Distribution

If you have not yet installed WSL on your computer, the process is incredibly straightforward in Windows 11.

Click the Start button, type PowerShell, right-click on Windows PowerShell, and select Run as administrator.
In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter:
```
wsl --install
```
This single command downloads the latest Linux kernel, enables the required virtual machine features, and installs Ubuntu as your default Linux distribution. It also installs WSLg automatically.
Once the installation is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.
After restarting, a Linux terminal will automatically open, prompting you to create a UNIX username and password. This will be your login for the Ubuntu environment.

Note: If you already had WSL installed prior to updating to Windows 11, you can update to the latest version that includes GUI support by running wsl --update in PowerShell.

Step 2: Update Your Linux Environment

Before installing any applications, it is good practice to ensure your new Ubuntu installation is fully up to date. Open your Ubuntu terminal (you can find it in the Start menu) and run the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

You will be asked to enter the UNIX password you created earlier. Wait for the process to finish updating your system packages.

Step 3: Install Linux GUI Applications

You are now ready to install and run graphical applications. The process is exactly the same as it would be on a native Ubuntu machine—you simply use the package manager in the terminal.

Example 1: GIMP (Image Editor)

To install the Linux version of the GIMP image editor, run:

sudo apt install gimp -y

Example 2: Gedit (Text Editor)

Gedit is a lightweight and popular text editor for the GNOME desktop. Install it using:

sudo apt install gedit -y

Example 3: Nautilus (File Manager)

If you want a graphical way to browse your Linux files, install the Nautilus file manager:

sudo apt install nautilus -y

Step 4: Launching Your GUI Applications

Once installed, there are two primary ways to open your Linux GUI apps.

From the Terminal: Simply type the name of the application in your Ubuntu terminal. For example, typing gimp or gedit and pressing Enter will launch the respective program.
From the Windows Start Menu: This is where WSLg truly shines. Windows automatically creates shortcuts for installed Linux GUI apps. Open the Windows Start menu, and you will see your newly installed applications listed alongside your standard Windows programs (often grouped under an “Ubuntu” folder). Click the shortcut, and the Linux app will launch just like a native Windows application.

When the application opens, you will notice a small Linux penguin (Tux) icon overlaid on the app’s taskbar icon, indicating that it is running via WSL.

Accessing Files Between Windows and Linux

When working with Linux GUI apps, you will likely need to access your Windows files.

From Linux to Windows: Your Windows drives are automatically mounted in WSL under the /mnt/ directory. For example, your C: drive can be accessed at /mnt/c/.
From Windows to Linux: If you open Windows File Explorer, you will see a Linux icon in the left-hand navigation pane. Clicking this gives you direct access to the file system of your Ubuntu installation.

By utilising WSLg, developers and enthusiasts can enjoy the best of both worlds—the robustness of Linux development tools and graphical applications, combined with the familiarity and hardware support of the Windows 11 desktop environment.