How to create a custom connection to WSL in remote host list?

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a compatibility layer that enables you to run Linux distributions natively on Windows 10. It provides a seamless integration between Windows and Linux, allowing you to access Linux tools and utilities directly from your Windows machine. One of the great features of WSL is the ability to create custom connections to remote hosts, which can be very useful for managing multiple Linux machines. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating a custom connection to WSL in the remote host list.

Step 1: Install Windows Subsystem for Linux

The first step is to install the Windows Subsystem for Linux on your Windows 10 machine. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Windows PowerShell as an administrator.
2. Run the following command to enable the Windows Subsystem for Linux feature: dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart
3. Restart your computer to complete the installation.
4. After the restart, open the Microsoft Store.
5. Search for your preferred Linux distribution (e.g., Ubuntu, Debian, or Kali Linux).
6. Select the distribution and click on the "Install" button.
7. Wait for the installation to complete.

Step 2: Launch the Linux Distribution

Once the Linux distribution is installed, you can launch it from the Start menu or by searching for its name. The first time you launch it, it will take some time to set up the necessary files and configurations.

Step 3: Create a Custom Connection

To create a custom connection to WSL in the remote host list, follow these steps:

1. Open the Windows Terminal application. If you don't have it installed, you can download it from the Microsoft Store.
2. In the Windows Terminal, click on the down arrow next to the "+" button in the tab bar.
3. Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
4. This will open the settings.json file in your default text editor.
5. Scroll down to the "profiles" section in the settings.json file.
6. Under the "profiles" section, add a new object for your custom connection. For example:

{
  "name": "Custom Connection",
  "commandline": "wsl.exe -d your_linux_distribution",
  "icon": "C:\\path\\to\\your\\icon.png"
}

Make sure to replace "your_linux_distribution" with the name of your installed Linux distribution (e.g., "Ubuntu"). You can also specify a custom icon for your connection by replacing "C:\\path\\to\\your\\icon.png" with the path to your desired icon file.

Step 4: Save and Use the Custom Connection

After adding the custom connection object, save the settings.json file and close the text editor. You can now see your custom connection in the remote host list in the Windows Terminal.

To use the custom connection, follow these steps:

1. Open the Windows Terminal.
2. Click on the down arrow next to the "+" button in the tab bar.
3. Select your custom connection from the dropdown menu.
4. This will open a new tab with your custom connection to WSL.

Now you can easily switch between different Linux distributions or remote hosts using the Windows Terminal and the custom connection feature of WSL.

Conclusion

Creating a custom connection to WSL in the remote host list allows you to manage multiple Linux machines or distributions from your Windows 10 machine seamlessly. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily set up and use custom connections in the Windows Terminal. Enjoy the power of Linux alongside the convenience of Windows!