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WSL

Windows Subsystem for Linux

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) was introduced by Microsoft to Windows 10. WSL allows users to to run a full Linux user space in Windows. The latest version, WSL 2, is a major upgrade and introduces a Microsoft-written Linux kernel that is delivered by Windows Update instead of being bundled with the Windows OS image.

This guide will show you how to create a working Mate Desktop environment on Debian Buster, similar to our CS Linux Desktop servers available through NoMachine. This will help you learn much more about using and maintaining a Linux environment. 

Installing WSL

Windows Subsystem for Linux Installation Guide

X11 forwarding

To run a graphical Linux environment in WSL, your will need to install an X server. 

Notes:

  • When installing VcXsrv, Make sure to "Disable access control"

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  • add the following to your ~/.bashrc:

    export DISPLAY=$(ip route list default | awk '{print $3}'):0
export LIBGL_ALWAYS_INDIRECT=1
  • Add a separate inbound rule for TCP port 6000 to the windows firewall in order to allow WSL access to the X server, as described by the wsl-windows-toolbar-launcher.

Debian

Microsoft provides an app to install a complete Debian command line environment. 

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