Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a component of Microsoft Windows that allows the use of a Linux environment from within Windows, forgoing the overhead of a virtual machine and being an alternative to dual booting. The WSL command-line interface tool is installed by default in Windows 11, but a distribution must be downloaded and installed through it before use. In Windows 10, WSL can be installed either by joining the Windows Insider program or manually via Microsoft Store or Winget.