Introduction to WSL or Windows Subsystem for Linux

Imagine seamlessly integrating the robustness of Linux with the familiar comfort of Windows. That’s the magic of WSL or Windows Subsystem for Linux, a revolutionary feature that brings the power of Linux into the Windows environment. This post will explore what WSL is, its benefits, and how you can get started with it on your Windows machine.

Table of Contents

What is WSL or Windows Subsystem for Linux?

WSL is a compatibility layer for running Linux binary executables natively on Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019. It’s designed for developers who need to run Linux tools on Windows without the overhead of a virtual machine or the hassle of dual-booting. With WSL, you can enjoy the developer-centric capabilities of Linux and the user-friendly nature of Windows on a single system.

Advantages of WSL

The introduction of WSL has been a game-changer, especially for developers and system administrators. Here are some of the key benefits:

Seamless Integration: WSL allows you to run Linux command-line tools and GUI apps alongside Windows applications, providing a cohesive experience.
Resource Efficiency: It uses fewer resources than a full Linux virtual machine, making it a more efficient option.
Ease of Use: The need to manage and boot up virtual machines is eliminated, streamlining your workflow.
Improved File IO Performance: WSL2, in particular, offers enhanced file input/output performance, which is crucial for file-intensive operations.
Flexibility: You can run multiple Linux distributions and switch between WSL1 and WSL2, tailoring your environment to your needs.

Getting Started with WSL

Before experiencing the magic of WSL or Windows Subsystem for Linux, we have to install WSL on Windows 10 or 11. Installing WSL on Windows 10 is straightforward:

Enable the Windows Subsystem for Linux: Use PowerShell as Administrator to enable WSL with the command:
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart.
Enable Virtual Machine Platform: Also in PowerShell, enable the necessary virtualization features with:
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart.
Restart your machine: This is required to complete the installation and update to WSL2.
Install a Linux distribution: Choose and install your preferred Linux distribution from the Microsoft Store or via the command line. I would have preferred stock Debian, but have chosen Ubuntu because it had the most hassle-free installation options.

Exploring WSL with Debian

With Debian or any other Linux distribution installed, you can launch it from the Start menu and immediately start using Linux tools. Whether it’s connecting to remote servers with SSH, managing cloud storage with Rclone, or developing with Git, Node.js, and more, WSL provides a robust platform for all your development needs.

Working with Linux on WSL

Once set up, WSL allows you to run various Linux apps and tools directly on Windows. For example:

Use SSH to connect to remote servers from the Linux terminal
Rclone to manage cloud storage
Software development tools like Git, Node.js, etc.

You can also access Windows files from the Linux environment using the /mnt/ folder.

Key Takeaways

WSL bridges the gap between Windows and Linux, offering the best of both operating systems.
It’s an efficient, user-friendly way to run Linux tools on a Windows machine.
WSL is ideal for developers who require a versatile environment for their work.

Zone Identifier Files

Have you ever wondered what are Zone Identifier files (identified as zone.identifier)? I came across them in the Windows Subsystem for Linux over the past few months. These files can be seen as an overhead, an irritant, or a cause for concern. I first encountered these files when I started using WSL (Ubuntu) on Windows 10.

In the ever-evolving tech landscape, the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) bridges the gap between Windows and Linux, enabling seamless operation of Linux commands and applications on Windows. However, this integration brings along Zone Identifier files, often a pain point for users. Let’s delve into what these files are, their role, and if they’re a nuisance or a genuine concern.

Summary of the post, for the time-pressed

During my usage of WSL on Windows 10, I observed the appearance of Zone.Identifier files, which are typically invisible in regular Windows environments but become visible in WSL due to its handling of colons in filenames. These files can be unsightly and potentially confuse users because they do not correspond to actual files or folders.

To address this annoyance, you can utilize the following command to delete these files recursively across your entire WSL installation:

find . -name '*:Zone.Identifier' -type f -delete

What are Zone Identifier files?

The Windows Subsystem for Linux, a compatibility layer for running Linux binary executable natively on Windows, has a peculiar feature known as Zone.Identifier. As a long-time Linux and Mac user who recently returned to the Windows world, I’ve found these Zone.Identifier files to be quite a mystery.

The reason these files show up in WSL is because of the different ways Windows and Linux handle the colon (:) character in file names. In Windows, the colon denotes alternate data streams which allows extra data to be associated with a file. WSL however treats the colon as just another valid character. So when files get accessed in WSL, it creates these Zone.Identifier files.

Are they an overhead or a cause for concern?

Zone Identifier files can be irksome, particularly for users frequently syncing files across different computers and cloud storage. They can trigger compatibility issues as most Linux and Mac systems don’t recognize them, leading to errors or inability to use the transferred files.

Recursively delete all files ending with “Zone.Identifier” in a Debian Linux terminal-

find / -name '*Zone.Identifier' -type f -delete

How to handle Zone Identifier files?

Zone.Identifier files are a default security feature in both Windows 10 and Windows 11, and can’t be disabled. So, irrespective of your Windows version, you’ll encounter these files when downloading or transferring files.

In summary, while Zone.Identifier files themselves are harmless to have around, their appearance in WSL can be visually distracting. But with the right find command or Windows policy tweaks, they can be effectively managed.

How to set up a cron job to delete Zone.Identifier file?

Open the terminal in your WSL Ubuntu environment.
Type crontab -e to open the crontab file for editing.
Scroll to the bottom of the file and add a new line that specifies when and how often you want the cron job to run, followed by the command to delete the Zone.Identifier files.
Save and close the file.

Exclude zone identifier files from rsync or rclone

Using rclone:

Open the terminal in your WSL Ubuntu environment.
Run the rclone command with the --exclude flag followed by the pattern of the files you want to exclude.

Using rsync:

Open the terminal in your WSL Ubuntu environment.
Run the rsync command with the --exclude flag followed by the pattern of the files you want to exclude.

Summing it up: dealing with zone identifier files

In conclusion, Zone.Identifier files in the Windows Subsystem for Linux can be seen as an overhead, an irritant, or even a cause for concern, depending on one’s perspective.

For further reading

Conclusion

WSL is not just a feature; it’s a testament to the evolving nature of operating systems and their ability to cater to diverse user needs. Whether you’re a die-hard Linux enthusiast or a Windows aficionado, WSL is a valuable tool that can enhance your computing experience. Embrace the power of Linux on your Windows machine and unlock a new level of productivity with the magic of WSL or Windows Subsystem for Linux.

Useful Links and Resources

Microsoft’s WSL site
Reddit- Advantages and Disadvantages of WSL
Windows Blog

This post Introduction to WSL or Windows Subsystem for Linux was updated and archived in April 2025.