Since version 1607, you can run Linux on Windows 10 without using a virtualization tool like VirtualBox or VMware Workstation. This version added a feature — Windows Subsystem for Linux — that allows Linux to run natively on your Windows system. The environment created by the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is capable of executing Bash shell and 64-bit CLI programs.
The initial version of WSL supported only Ubuntu-based environment. Today, you can also install Fedora and OpenSUSE.
The WSL feature offered by Windows 10 is pretty handy if you have some servers to take care of, while you use Windows 10 on your daily basis. You can run the CLI tools you usually use right from the Windows system.
The WSL feature is not enabled by default, though. Before being able to install a supported distro, you need to activate this feature first. To do so, open Control Panel and click Programs.
Next, click Turn Windows features on or off.
On the appearing window, tick the Windows Subsystem for Linux option and click the OK button.
