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Install Arch Linux in WSL: Full Guide

Guide 10-19212 · Updated · Step by step

Yes, you can install Arch Linux in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) — it is not officially listed in the Microsoft Store, but a community-built package makes it straightforward. You will download an Arch WSL appx package, install it, then set up a user account and base packages. This guide walks through the entire process, from prerequisites to troubleshooting, so you can run Arch natively inside Windows 10 or 11.

What Is WSL and Why Arch on It?

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a compatibility layer that lets you run a full Linux userland on Windows without a virtual machine. WSL 2, the current default, uses a lightweight virtual machine with a real Linux kernel, giving near-native performance and full system call compatibility. Most distros are one-click installs from the Microsoft Store, but Arch is not there because it is a rolling-release distro that values minimalism and user control — Microsoft only lists distros that meet its testing and support criteria.

Running Arch in WSL gives you the same pacman package manager, the Arch User Repository (AUR), and the latest software — all without dual-booting or a separate VM. It is popular with developers who want a clean, up-to-date environment for scripting, compiling, or testing, while still using Windows for daily tasks.

Prerequisites for Installing Arch in WSL

Before you start, make sure your system meets these requirements:

  • Windows 10 version 2004 or higher, or Windows 11.
  • WSL feature enabled. Run wsl --install in an elevated PowerShell if you have never used WSL; this installs WSL 2 and a default distro (usually Ubuntu).
  • About 2 GB of free disk space for the base install, plus room for packages you add.
  • An internet connection — you will download the Arch rootfs and package updates.
  • Virtualization enabled in BIOS (for WSL 2). Most modern PCs have it on by default.

If you already have WSL 1, you can upgrade to WSL 2 with wsl --set-version <distro> 2. The Arch package from the community works on both, but WSL 2 is recommended for compatibility.

Step-by-Step: Install Arch Linux in WSL

The official Arch Linux installation ISO is not WSL-aware, so you need a prebuilt rootfs. The Arch Linux WSL project (archlinux-wsl) publishes an appx package that contains the rootfs and a launcher. Here is how to use it:

  1. Download the latest Arch.zip (or the .appx) from the project’s GitHub releases page. The file is usually named like Arch.zip — do not extract it yet.
  2. Open a PowerShell window as Administrator and run: Add-AppxPackage .\Arch.zip (adjust the path if needed). This installs the WSL distro as a Windows app.
  3. Launch Arch from the Start menu, or run wsl -d Arch in a terminal. The first launch may take a minute as it initializes the rootfs.
  4. You will be logged in as root. Set a root password with passwd.
  5. Create a normal user: useradd -m -G wheel -s /bin/bash username, then set a password with passwd username.
  6. Install sudo and configure it: pacman -S sudo, then edit /etc/sudoers with visudo and uncomment the line %wheel ALL=(ALL:ALL) ALL.
  7. Update the system: pacman -Syu. This pulls the latest packages from the Arch repos.
  8. Exit and log back in as your user: wsl -d Arch -u username (or set the default user with the launcher settings).

That is it — you now have a minimal Arch system. Most users then install common tools like base-devel, git, and a text editor.

Setting Up the Arch User Repository (AUR)

One of the main reasons people choose Arch is the AUR, a community-driven repository of package build scripts. To use it, you need a helper like yay or paru. Since the AUR is not part of the official repos, you install a helper manually:

  1. Install base-devel and git: pacman -S --needed base-devel git.
  2. Clone the yay repository: git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.git.
  3. Change into the directory and build: cd yay && makepkg -si.
  4. Once installed, you can search and install AUR packages with yay -S package-name.

Note that AUR packages are community-maintained and not officially supported — always read the PKGBUILD before building if you are cautious.

Common Problems and Fixes

Here are issues you might hit and how to resolve them:

  • “WSL register distribution failed” — This usually means the rootfs is corrupted or the distro name conflicts. Uninstall the appx and reinstall, or run wsl --unregister Arch and start over.
  • No internet inside Arch — Check that WSL’s virtual network is working. In most cases, restarting WSL with wsl --shutdown fixes it. If you use a VPN or proxy, you may need to configure /etc/resolv.conf manually.
  • Cannot run systemd services — WSL does not run systemd by default (unless you enable it in /etc/wsl.conf). For most tasks you do not need systemd; use the service manually or run commands in the foreground.
  • Pacman keyring errors — Initialize the keyring with pacman-key --init and pacman-key --populate archlinux.
  • Default user is root — The Arch WSL package may not set a default user. You can change it by editing /etc/wsl.conf and adding [user] default=username, then restart WSL.

Alternatives: Other Ways to Run Arch on Windows

If the WSL package does not suit you, there are other options:

  • Virtual machine — Use VirtualBox or VMware to run a full Arch install. This gives you a complete system with a graphical environment, but uses more resources and requires a manual install (or an Arch-based distro like EndeavourOS).
  • Docker Desktop — Run Arch as a Docker container on Windows. This is great for testing packages or scripts, but it is not a full interactive environment.
  • Dual boot — Install Arch on a separate partition. This is the most “native” way but requires rebooting to switch OSes.

WSL is the lightest option and integrates well with Windows — you can access Windows files from Arch via /mnt/c/ and run Windows executables from within WSL.

Is It Safe and Supported?

The Arch WSL package is not an official Arch Linux release — it is community-built. The Arch wiki does not document WSL, so you rely on the maintainers of the project. That said, the package is widely used and the rootfs is built from official Arch repositories, so the software is the same. You should still follow standard Arch practices: keep the system updated, read the news before major upgrades, and avoid unsupported AUR packages unless you understand them. There is no official support from Microsoft or the Arch team, but the community forums and the project’s GitHub issues are active.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install Arch Linux from the Microsoft Store?

No, Arch is not in the Microsoft Store. You must use the community appx package from the ArchWSL GitHub project, or manually build a rootfs from the official Arch bootstrap tarball.

Does Arch in WSL support systemd?

WSL does not run systemd by default, but you can enable it by adding [boot] systemd=true to /etc/wsl.conf and restarting WSL. This works on WSL 2 with recent versions of Windows 11.

How do I access Windows files from Arch?

Windows drives are mounted under /mnt/c, /mnt/d, etc. You can navigate to them like any Linux directory, but be aware that file I/O across the boundary is slower than native Linux files.

Can I run GUI applications from Arch in WSL?

Yes, with WSLg (Windows 11) or an X server like VcXsrv on Windows 10. Install a GUI toolkit and run the app — the display is forwarded automatically in WSLg.

Will Arch in WSL break my Windows system?

No, WSL runs in a sandboxed virtual machine. The worst that can happen is that the Arch distro itself becomes unbootable, which you can fix by unregistering it with wsl --unregister Arch and reinstalling.

Related

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