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Windows Subsystem for Linux
Microsoft-supported way to run Linux command-line environments directly on Windows.
Our View
WSL helps Windows users participate in Linux-oriented research workflows without needing a separate machine, making command-line tools, package managers, and pipeline software easier to use.
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Teaching — Recorded in topic offerings; consult the dated event links for availability.
1 topics with recorded teaching · 0 past offerings · 1 upcoming offerings
Related themes: Scientific Computing
Related topics: Automating Research WorkflowsDeveloper Environment
Common use cases
- Run Linux command-line tools from a Windows workstation
- Use reproducible pipeline and packaging tools that expect a Linux shell
- Bridge local development with Linux servers or clusters
Getting started
Windows Subsystem for Linux lets Windows users run a Linux environment without leaving their desktop operating system. It is often the simplest path to tools that assume a Unix-like shell.
Why It Matters in Research Workflows
Many reproducible computing tools are documented for Linux first. WSL reduces the gap between a Windows laptop and the Linux servers, containers, shell scripts, and package managers used in shared research infrastructure.
In Our Teaching
We discuss WSL when courses rely on Linux-oriented tools such as Snakemake, Apptainer, shell commands, and pipeline software. It helps learners keep local practice close to the systems they may later use for larger analyses.