How to Install Windows Terminal and Ubuntu Subsystem on Windows for a Seamless Linux Experience

Install Windows Terminal

On Windows you can install

Windows Terminal

from the Microsoft Store, similar to macOS's iTerm. Search for "Windows Terminal" in the Store and click install; no Microsoft account is required.

Install Ubuntu Subsystem

Enable the "Windows Subsystem for Linux" feature in the Control Panel (Programs → Turn Windows features on or off) and check the box for the subsystem.

Then install Ubuntu from the Microsoft Store (choose the LTS version). The Ubuntu system appears as an app.

Post‑configuration

After installation, click the down‑arrow in the Windows Terminal title bar to select the newly installed Ubuntu profile.

Inside Ubuntu, replace the default apt sources by editing

/etc/apt/sources.list

with the following lines:

<code>deb https://mirrors.ustc.edu.cn/ubuntu/ bionic main restricted universe multiverse
deb https://mirrors.ustc.edu.cn/ubuntu/ bionic-updates main restricted universe multiverse
deb https://mirrors.ustc.edu.cn/ubuntu/ bionic-backports main restricted universe multiverse
deb https://mirrors.ustc.edu.cn/ubuntu/ bionic-security main restricted universe multiverse
deb https://mirrors.ustc.edu.cn/ubuntu/ bionic-proposed main restricted universe multiverse
deb-src https://mirrors.ustc.edu.cn/ubuntu/ bionic main restricted universe multiverse
deb-src https://mirrors.ustc.edu.cn/ubuntu/ bionic-updates main restricted universe multiverse
deb-src https://mirrors.ustc.edu.cn/ubuntu/ bionic-backports main restricted universe multiverse
deb-src https://mirrors.ustc.edu.cn/ubuntu/ bionic-security main restricted universe multiverse
deb-src https://mirrors.ustc.edu.cn/ubuntu/ bionic-proposed main restricted universe multiverse</code>

Install

zsh

and

oh‑my‑zsh

to enhance the shell appearance:

<code>sudo apt install zsh</code>

<code>sh -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.github.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/master/tools/install.sh)"</code>

For additional themes, visit terminalsplash.com .

To access Linux files from Windows, run:

<code>cd /home
explorer.exe .</code>

This opens the corresponding Windows directory in File Explorer. You can also map the Linux home to a drive letter (e.g., Z:).

End

The author reflects on the blurred lines between Windows and Linux after integrating the two, noting that commands from one environment can invoke the other, creating a deeply fused development platform.