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Description
I get this error when I try to run the command. Any ideas how to fix this?
PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature : Feature name Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux is unknown.
At line:1 char:1
- Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows- …
-
+ CategoryInfo : NotSpecified: (:) [Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature], COMException + FullyQualifiedErrorId : Microsoft.Dism.Commands.EnableWindowsOptionalFeatureCommand
Document Details
⚠ Do not edit this section. It is required for docs.microsoft.com ➟ GitHub issue linking.
- ID: f2668f02-b96f-7f16-6fc5-950a1e5f86b9
- Version Independent ID: 75f3a2fb-99bd-0161-28ba-5c86e917f4d5
- Content: Install the Linux Subsystem on Windows 10
- Content Source: WSL/install-win10.md
- Service: windows-subsystem-for-linux
- Product: windows-subsystem-for-linux
- GitHub Login: @scooley
- Microsoft Alias: scooley
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature : Feature name Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux is unknown.
You got this error while trying to enable «Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux» feature to get the bash on ubuntu on Windows 10 through PowerShell command.
This simply indicates your system has not met the proper criteria to upgrade to get the Windows 10, with OS build at least 14316.
If you think you have the pre-requisite to get the developer mode Windows 10, please check below pre-requisites:
Prerequisites
- Windows 10 Anniversary Update — build 14316
- Available as of 8/2/2016
- x64-based processor
- Your PC must have an AMD/Intel x64 compatible CPU
- You must be a member of the (free) Windows Insider Program (Preferably Fast-Ring)
- Your PC must be running a 64-bit version of Windows 10 Anniversary Update build 14316 or later
You can verify the below requisites through below steps.
- To Check the Windows build version press Windows + R & then type winver.
- To check the processor Go to this path through Windows Explorer: Control Panel\System and Security\System
- To be a member of the Windows Insider program, you need to apply it through below steps.
- Open Settings(Type settings in Cortana Search box) -> Update and Security -> For developers
- Select the Developer Mode radio button.
- Reboot Your system.
-
Enable the Windows Subsystem for Linux feature (GUI)
- Hit start and search for «Turn Windows features on or off» (type ‘turn’)
- Select Windows Subsystem for Linux (beta)
- Click Ok.
Windows 10: Windows Subsystem for Linux is missing in Windows 10 Home 1903
Discus and support Windows Subsystem for Linux is missing in Windows 10 Home 1903 in Windows 10 Installation and Upgrade to solve the problem; I’m trying to activate Windows Subsystem for Linux but it seems that it is simply not present in my Windows copy.
It doesn’t show up in control…
Discussion in ‘Windows 10 Installation and Upgrade’ started by DPard, Jun 13, 2019.
-
Windows Subsystem for Linux is missing in Windows 10 Home 1903
I’m trying to activate Windows Subsystem for Linux but it seems that it is simply not present in my Windows copy.
It doesn’t show up in control panel. Running the command on PowerShell throws an error:
PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature : Feature name Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux is unknown.I don’t know what the problem is. I also tried to repair Windows, but everything was ok:
PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
>> sfc /scannowDeployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.18362.1Image Version: 10.0.18362.175
[==========================100.0%==========================] The restore operation completed successfully.
The operation completed successfully.Beginning system scan. This process will take some time.
Beginning verification phase of system scan.
Verification 100% complete.Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
Can somebody help me activating Windows Subsystem for Linux, please?
-
Windows Subsystem Linux
Hello,
We would like to know more about the issue you’re experiencing with using
Windows Subsystem for Linux. Kindly answer the following questions:- Are you developing a program, an app, or a software for Linux?
- Is your Window 10 PC connected to a domain?
- Are you managing a Windows Server PC?
- What troubleshooting steps have you tried so far?
- Can you tell us the Version and OS build of your Windows 10 device? You can find this information by clicking the
Start button, type About your PC, and then press
Enter.
We need the following information in order to determine if we need to refer your concern to the
TechNet forums or the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) forums.For now, we suggest reviewing these support articles to find out if there’s an issue with the installation of
Windows Subsystem for Linux:- Install the Windows Subsystem for Linux
- Troubleshooting Windows Subsystem for Linux
We’ll be waiting for your response.
-
windows 10 subsystem for linux wireless drivers missing
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good suggestion
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Windows Subsystem for Linux is missing in Windows 10 Home 1903
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Usually, when you try to run any software, service, or app that requires the Linux environment, you may get an error.
In most cases, if you install the Ubuntu app from the Microsoft Store and open it, this problem will appear. When it occurs, you get the following message: The Windows Subsystem for Linux optional component is not enabled. Please enable it and try again.
It also may show an error code 0x8007019e. But don’t worry, you can easily fix this problem if you take the proper steps.
Does the Windows Subsystem for Linux slow down a PC?
To make your development work much more pleasant, you may enable WSL. It does not hurt Windows performance.
Any services in the background take a few computing resources. The WSL is not different. However, according to the users, it doesn’t slow down the PC.
We have tested it by ourselves. Our research also has found that modern computers can easily handle Windows Subsystem for Linux without negatively affecting performance.
Moreover, it can be an essential feature for some users. So, you may need to turn it on, particularly when you face the error mentioned in this article.
How do I enable Windows Subsystem for Linux on Windows?
If you want to enable WSL on your PC, you can easily do it. But, before that, we suggest you do the following things:
- Update Windows to the latest version.
- Ensure you are using Windows 11 or 10, as other versions don’t support this feature.
Now, you can follow the methods mentioned below to enable Windows Subsystem for Linux.
1. Install the optional feature
- Press Win + I on the keyboard to open Windows Settings.
- Go to Apps and click on Optional features.
- Click on More Windows features to open the Windows Features window.
- Tick Windows Subsystem for Linux and click on OK.
- It will install the required components.
- Restart your PC after completing the process.
Alternatively, you also can search for the optionalfeatures on the Start Menu to find and open the Windows Features window. It can be necessary if you don’t find the exact options shown in the above steps.
After enabling the WSL, you can try to open the Ubuntu terminal or any other app or service that was showing the error. Hopefully, you will not see the same again.
2. Use the PowerShell command
- Open the Start Menu, type PowerShell, and hit Enter.
- Now, type the following command and press Enter to execute it:
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux
- Wait for a while.
- Restart your PC after PowerShell installs the required features.
Now, verify if it has solved the problem or not. If PowerShell can successfully enable this optional feature, you can use the Ubuntu terminal or any other app that requires WSL without any error.
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3. Enable Developer Mode
NOTE
If you are using the latest builds, enabling Developer Mode is no longer necessary. In case you are running an older build, perform the steps below to enable it.
- Open Windows Settings.
- Go to Privacy & security and click on For developers.
- Turn the Developer Mode by tweaking the appropriate switch.
- Click on Yes on the popup window.
- Restart your PC.
For more detailed steps, learn how to enable Windows 11 Developer Mode. If the Developer Mode is a requirement, try to enable the latest WSL again and see if it works.
This article has explained how to fix Windows Subsystem for Linux is not enabled. If you have any opinions or suggestions, feel free to let us know in the comments box.
Hasibul Kabir
Windows Software Expert
Hasibul Kabir is a Tech-Enthusiast Blogger, Web Developer & Hobbyist Game Developer. Writing about Technology, mainly Windows, Mac, iOS, etc., is his main focus, besides doing some computer science-related work.
He loves exploring new technology and presenting it with simple words to the audience. When not at work, Hasibul plays video games, explores nature, tastes delicious foods, or learns new things.
Ubuntu is a Linux based distribution that is totally free and open source. The program also provides support for Windows 10 and is used by a lot of people for software developing purposes. However, quite recently a lot of reports have been coming in where users are unable to use it and the Error “The WSL Optional Component is not Enabled. Please Enable it and Try Again” is seen while trying to do so.
What Causes “The WSL Optional Component is Not Enabled. Please Enable it and Try Again” Error on Ubuntu?
After receiving numerous reports from multiple users, we decided to investigate the issue and devised a set of solutions to fix eradicate it completely. Also, we looked into the reason due to which this issue is triggered and listed it as follows.
- Disabled Component: As the error message indicates, the error is triggered if the Windows Subsystem for Linux is disabled. Windows Subsystem for Linux is a very important feature and needs to be enabled in order for Ubuntu to work properly on Windows 10 because it provides all the important configurations and distributions needed for Ubuntu to run correctly.
Now that you have a basic understanding of the nature of the problem, we will move on towards the solutions. Make sure to implement the solutions carefully, in order to avoid conflict.
Method 1: Turning WSL ON Through Control Panel
There are a couple of methods which we can apply to rectify the problem. However, in this step, we will be taking the easiest route and enable WSL through the Control Panel. For that:
- Press “Windows” + “R” keys simultaneously to open the Run prompt.
- Type in “Control Panel” and press “Shift” + “Ctrl” + “Enter” to provide administrative privileges.
Typing in “Control Panel” and pressing “Shift” + “Ctrl” + “Enter” to provide administrative privileges - Click on the “View By” option and select “Small Icons“.
Clicking on “View By” and selecting “Small Icons” - Click on the “Programs and Features” option.
- Select the “Turn Windows Features On or OFF” option in the left pane.
- Scroll down and select “Windows Subsystem for Linux“.
Checking the “Windows Subsystem for Linux” option” - Click on “OK” to enable the feature.
- Check to see if the issue persists.
Solution 2: Turning WSL ON Through PowerShell
We can also enable the WSL Feature by using the Command Prompt. Therefore, in this step, we will be implementing a command in the command prompt to enable the WSL Feature. For that:
- Press “Windows” + “R” keys simultaneously to open the Run prompt.
- Type in “Powershell” and press “Shift“+ “Ctrl” + “Enter” to provide administrative privileges.
- Type in the following command and press “Enter“.
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux
- Wait for the command to be executed and check to see if the issue persists.
Enabling WSL
Kevin Arrows
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