Windows 11's WSL 2 now officially has support from Arch Linux

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"I use Arch, BTW" can now also apply if you use Windows 11.

Arch Linux running on Windows 11 with WSL
(Image credit: Windows Central)

Having been first teased earlier this year, Arch Linux is now officially available to download and install on Microsoft's WSL on Windows 11 (via It's FOSS).

It comes a couple of weeks on from another big name officially joining the WSL roster, when Fedora 42 officially became available, also.

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Arch Linux is now available to install on WSL with a single command. (Image credit: Windows Central)

Installation is extremely simple. To get it up and running on your system, simply open up PowerShell and enter:

wsl --install archlinux

After a brief download and install period, you're good to go. If you're using Windows Terminal simply restart it and Arch Linux will now be in your dropdown menu.

If you're not, or want to enter it from PowerShell directly simply type:

wsl --d archlinux

From here, aside from knowing that it works and is quite fast, there's not much more I can say. I am not an "I use Arch, BTW" person (Fedora will always be my Linux home now) and I'll be the first to admit I don't really know what I'm doing with it.

But if you do, and you've been longing to have it powering your WSL adventures, go forth and have all the Arch you desire.

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Richard Devine
Richard Devine
Managing Editor

Richard Devine is the Managing Editor at Windows Central, where he combines a deep love for the open-source community with expert-level technical coverage. Whether he’s hunting for the next big project on GitHub, fine-tuning a WSL workflow, or breaking down the latest meta in Call of Duty, Forza, and The Division 2, Richard focuses on making complex tech accessible to every kind of user. If it’s happening in the world of Windows or PC gaming, he’s probably already knee-deep in the code (or the lobbies). Follow him on X and Mastodon.

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