How to run Graphical Ubuntu Linux from Bash Shell in Windows 10

You might be aware of Microsoft and Canonical's partnership to integrate "

Bash on Ubuntu on Windows 10

," which is typically a non-graphical Ubuntu running over

Windows Subsystem for Linux

. Windows 10 doesn’t officially support graphical Linux desktop applications.

But, now we have noticed a very interesting ticket titled "Run Any Desktop Environment in WSL" raised at

Github

 repository, in which a user who goes by name Guerra24 has managed to run the graphical version of Ubuntu Linux, i.e. Ubuntu Unity on Windows 10.

It’s not "

Microsoft Linux

."

BASH or Bourne Again Shell is capable of handling advanced command line functionalities. Microsoft has provided support for

Bash on Windows 10

as an expansion of its command-line tool family, so don't get confused.

The Bash on Windows 10 feature is designed only for developers who want to run Linux terminal utilities without any OS dependencies.

However, this feature downloads and installs a complete Ubuntu user space image, which includes binaries and applications that would run on Ubuntu.

So, Guerra24 managed to find a way that enables Ubuntu's Unity desktop environment, i.e. the graphical version of Ubuntu, on Windows 10 desktop.

However, before doing that you need to turn on "Bash on Windows 10" if you haven't yet.

Bash on Ubuntu on Windows is currently available on latest Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14316; however, the company will bring it to Windows 10 as part of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update coming in August.

Here’s how to

turn on Ubuntu Bash Shell on Windows 10

Preview Build.

Once done, next to enable Ubuntu's Unity desktop environment, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1:

Download and Install “

VcXsrv Windows X Server

" on your Windows 10.

Step 2: Open Display Settings → Select 'one large window' and leave other settings as default → Finish the configuration.

Step 3: Press ‘Start button’ and Search for 'Bash' or simply open Command Prompt and type 'bash' command.

Step 4: Install ubuntu-desktop, unity, and ccsm. Then, export the display and open ccsm as shown below:

Step 5: When ccsm's application window pops up, enable following plugins (using checkbox).

Step 6:

Close ccsm window and run ‘compiz’ command, as shown:

Step 7: Done. Compiz will load Ubuntu Unity.

Since Microsoft does not officially support it, it might be possible that not every piece of Linux software would work graphically.

from The Hacker News http://ift.tt/29BSiIr