Download Ubuntu 20.04 on Windows Server: A Comprehensive Guide

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) offers a powerful way to run a Linux environment directly on Windows Server, without the complexities of virtual machines or dual-boot setups. For users seeking a stable and widely-supported Linux distribution, Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (Focal Fossa) stands out as an excellent choice. This guide will walk you through the process of downloading and installing Ubuntu 20.04 on your Windows Server, enabling you to leverage the best of both Windows and Linux ecosystems.

Whether you are using the latest Windows Server 2022 or a previous version, this article provides clear, step-by-step instructions to get Ubuntu 20.04 running smoothly on your server. Let’s explore how to bring the flexibility and robustness of Ubuntu 20.04 to your Windows Server environment.

Installing WSL on Windows Server 2022: The Streamlined Approach

Windows Server 2022 simplifies the WSL installation process significantly. With a single command, you can enable WSL and install Ubuntu (by default). Here’s how:

Open PowerShell or Windows Command Prompt as an administrator. Then, execute the following command:

wsl --install

After running this command, restart your Windows Server. This command automatically handles enabling necessary components, downloading the most recent Linux kernel, setting WSL 2 as the default architecture, and installing a Linux distribution – which is Ubuntu by default. While this command installs the latest Ubuntu version, it sets the stage for running various Linux distributions, including Ubuntu 20.04.

For more detailed information on WSL and its capabilities, refer to the official WSL documentation.

Installing WSL on Previous Windows Server Versions: Manual Steps

For those using Windows Server 2019 (version 1709 and later) or older versions, a manual installation process is required. Follow these steps to enable WSL and install Ubuntu 20.04 on your server:

Step 1: Enable the Windows Subsystem for Linux Feature

First, you need to enable the “Windows Subsystem for Linux” optional feature.

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run the following command:

Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux

After the command completes, restart your Windows Server when prompted. This reboot is crucial for the changes to take effect.

Step 2: Download the Ubuntu 20.04 Distribution

To proceed with the Ubuntu 20.04 installation, you need to download the Ubuntu distribution package. You can typically find the Ubuntu app package in the Microsoft Store, or directly from Microsoft’s documentation on manual WSL installation. Search for “Ubuntu 2004” in the Microsoft Store or look for a direct download link in the official WSL documentation under the “Downloading distributions” section for manual installation. Ensure you are downloading the .appx package for Ubuntu 20.04.

Step 3: Extract and Install Ubuntu 20.04

Once you have downloaded the Ubuntu 20.04 .appx package, follow these steps to extract and manually install it:

Navigate to the directory where you downloaded the Ubuntu.appx file using PowerShell.
Rename the .appx file to .zip and extract its contents using these commands:
```
Rename-Item .Ubuntu.appx .Ubuntu.zip
Expand-Archive .Ubuntu.zip .Ubuntu
```
Change your current directory in PowerShell to the extracted Ubuntu folder.
Execute the installation command using Add-AppxPackage:
```
Add-AppxPackage .Ubuntu.appx
```
(Note: If you downloaded a file with a different name like ubuntu2004.appx, replace Ubuntu.appx with the actual filename.)

Troubleshooting Installation Errors:
If you encounter an error message like Installation failed with error 0x8007007e, it usually indicates that your Windows Server build is outdated or WSL is not properly enabled. Verify that you are running Windows build 16215 or later and that you have restarted your server after enabling the WSL feature.

Step 4: Add Ubuntu 20.04 to the System PATH Environment Variable

To easily launch Ubuntu 20.04 from any location in your Windows Server environment, add the Ubuntu installation directory to the system PATH environment variable.

Using PowerShell, run these commands (adjust the path C:UsersAdministratorUbuntu if you installed Ubuntu in a different location):

$userenv = [System.Environment]::GetEnvironmentVariable("Path", "User")
[System.Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("PATH", $userenv + ";C:UsersAdministratorUbuntu", "User")

Now, you can launch your Ubuntu 20.04 distribution by simply typing ubuntu2004.exe (or ubuntu.exe depending on the package name) in any command prompt or PowerShell window.

After completing the installation, it’s recommended to create a user account and set a password within your new Ubuntu 20.04 environment for security and personalization.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can successfully download and install Ubuntu 20.04 on your Windows Server, unlocking a wide range of Linux-based tools and applications. Whether you opt for the simplified installation on Windows Server 2022 or the manual method for older versions, WSL makes it straightforward to integrate Ubuntu 20.04 into your Windows Server workflow. Enjoy the enhanced flexibility and capabilities that Ubuntu 20.04 brings to your server environment.