Alex Ruben
How To Install Fedora 42 on Windows 11 Using WSL
If you’re tired of virtual machines slowing everything down or just wanna run Fedora 42 inside Windows without much fuss, then this might be your ticket. Basically, you set up WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux), tell it to install Fedora 42, and boom — Linux in Windows. But yeah, it’s not totally straightforward, and some steps are kinda weird, especially if you’re used to Linux commands or different Windows versions.
Prerequisites
Make sure your Windows 11 is fairly up to date — especially if WSL isn’t working nicely right out of the box. Also, you’ll need admin rights to make system changes (no way around that). Having a reliable internet connection helps since you’re downloading packages and distros.
Step 1: Turn on WSL
This is kinda the foundation — without it, none of the rest works. The easiest way, honestly, is to just go to Settings > Apps > Optional Features > More Windows features. Or, if you prefer command line, open PowerShell as admin and run:
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart And for WSL 2, you gotta enable the Virtual Machine Platform too:
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart After all that, reboot your machine. Yeah, Windows has to make this harder than it should, but at least it works.
Step 2: Install WSL 2 and set it as default
Now, open PowerShell again (as admin) and check if you have the latest WSL version. Run:
wsl --install If that command doesn’t work, maybe update your Windows itself or do this instead:
wsl --set-default-version 2 This sets WSL 2 as the default, which is faster and more compatible. On some setups, this command fails the first time but then magically works after a reboot. Not sure why it works sometimes and not others — typical Windows stuff.
Step 3: Installing Fedora 42
Here’s the funny part: you can try the simple command, but sometimes it won’t pull the exact Fedora 42 version because Microsoft store or WSL install just pulls whatever official repo has. So for the most reliable experience, check out the official Fedora WSL images or use this method:
- In PowerShell, run:
wsl --install -d Fedora-42 - Wait. A lot. It will download the distro and set it up. Might take a few minutes depending on your connection.
If that command isn’t recognized, you can also find Fedora 42 images via the Microsoft Store, or manually import custom distros using Winhance or similar tools.
Step 4: Launching Fedora
Once installed, you can launch Fedora 42 either from the Start Menu — just search for “Fedora 42” — or from PowerShell with:
wsl -d Fedora-42 Note: if the distro doesn’t show up immediately or acts weird, give it a restart or re-import it from the commands above. Sometimes Windows just refuses to register it right away, so yeah, patience needed.
Step 5: First boot & setup
When Fedora starts for the first time, it’ll ask you to create a user — this is normal. You can skip setting a password (leave it blank) or put one if you want. After that, you’re basically good to go. Just like any Linux in a VM, but it’s actually just a subsystem.
Note: If you get stuck at any point, check your network connectivity because Fedora needs to fetch updates or packages.
Step 6: Keep everything up to date
Running Fedora means using dnf. To update packages, just do:
sudo dnf update This helps prevent weird bugs and keeps your Fedora install healthy. Sometimes, after updates, a reboot helps, but usually not necessary unless kernel updates or core system packages got installed.
Extra tips & common pitfalls
- Make sure Windows is fully updated — especially the WSL components. Sometimes, WSL 2 just refuses to cooperate on older builds.
- If installing Fedora 42 via commands isn’t working, try resetting your WSL or uninstalling and reinstalling from the Microsoft Store or using the manual import method — because of course, Windows has to complicate these things.
- For installing apps inside Fedora, use
sudo dnf install [package]— same as Linux in a VM, just a lot faster. - Need more Linux? Just install another distro and run
wsl --list --verboseto see what’s installed.
Conclusion
Getting Fedora 42 on Windows 11 with WSL isn’t super smooth, but it’s doable. The key is enabling features, setting WSL 2 as default, and patiently waiting for the images to download. Once it’s up, you’ve got a pretty decent Linux environment right inside Windows, no virtual machine required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run multiple Linux distributions on WSL?
Yeah, you can install as many as you want, then switch between them with wsl -d [distro].
Is WSL 2 actually better than WSL 1?
Definitely. Better performance, full system call support, and it just feels more like a real Linux. On some setups, it’s noticeably faster, especially for file operations.
How do I remove Fedora if I want to wipe it out?
Just run wsl --unregister Fedora-42 in PowerShell — super easy, but confirm you really wanna delete before hitting Enter.
Summary
- Turn on WSL & Virtual Machine Platform via power shell or GUI
- Set WSL 2 as the default
- Install Fedora 42 with command or store
- Launch and set up your user account
- Update regularly with
sudo dnf update
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone.