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Installing WSL and Ubuntu on Windows ​

The very first step in setting up your simulation environment starts with installing Ubuntu on your Windows system. Ubuntu gives you access to a full Linux environment — the same foundation used in most research and high-performance computing workflows.

To make this possible on Windows, we use WSL — Windows Subsystem for Linux. It allows you to run Linux directly on Windows without setting up a separate virtual machine or dual boot.

Step-1: Installing Ubuntu using WSL ​

  1. Open the Microsoft Store on your Windows system.
  2. In the search bar, type “Ubuntu”.
  3. From the list, select Ubuntu 20.04.6 LTS. (This is the version we use across most of our setups at Avkalan Labs for stability and compatibility.)
  4. Click on Install and wait for the installation to complete.

Ubuntu installation from Microsoft Store

Once the installation is done, Ubuntu will be available as a separate app inside your Start Menu.

Step-2: Running Ubuntu for the First Time ​

  1. Open the Windows Search Bar and type “Ubuntu”.

  2. Launch the app — it will open a new terminal window.

  3. The first time you run Ubuntu, it will take a few moments to set up the environment.

  4. You’ll then be asked to create a new UNIX username and password.

    • Choose a simple lowercase username (for example, manpreet or joe).
    • Set a password you’ll remember — you’ll need it for administrative tasks later.

Once the setup finishes, you’ll be inside your Ubuntu terminal — ready to start working in a Linux environment.

Troubleshooting: Virtualization Errors ​

If you encounter any errors related to virtualization during the installation process, ensure that virtualization is enabled on your system. Here’s how you can check:

  1. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing a key like F2, F10, or DEL during startup).
  2. Look for an option related to virtualization (e.g., Intel VT-x, AMD-V, or SVM Mode) and ensure it is enabled.
  3. Save the changes and restart your computer. Once virtualization has been enabled, you can try re-running WSL and follow the instructions in Step-2: Running Ubuntu for the First Time to complete the setup process. Add