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00 - PREREQUISITES CHECKLIST

✅ Before You Start: Complete Checklist

🖥️ Hardware Requirements

  • Computer Type: Windows 11 PC or Laptop
  • RAM: Minimum 4GB (8GB+ recommended)
  • Disk Space: At least 20GB free (SSD preferred)
  • Processor: 64-bit processor with virtualization support
  • Motherboard BIOS: Virtualization enabled (Intel VT-x or AMD-V)

🔑 Software Prerequisites

  • OS: Windows 11 (Home, Pro, Enterprise, or Education edition)
  • Admin Access: Administrator account available
  • Internet Connection: Stable, working connection
  • Windows Update: System fully updated
  • Antivirus: Compatible with WSL2 (Windows Defender is fine)

🔧 System Configuration

Virtualization Check (Windows 11):

# Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:
wsl --status

# Expected output:
# Default Distribution: Ubuntu
# Default Version: 2

Check Hyper-V Support:

# Run as Administrator:
systeminfo | findstr /I "Hyper-V"

# Look for:
# Hyper-V Capable: Yes

Check Processor Virtualization:

Intel Processors:

  • Intel VT-x (Virtualization Technology) enabled in BIOS

AMD Processors:

  • AMD-V (Virtualization) enabled in BIOS

How to enable (if disabled):

  1. Restart your computer
  2. Enter BIOS (usually F2, Del, F10, or F12 during startup)
  3. Look for "Virtualization" or "VT-x" or "AMD-V" settings
  4. Enable the option
  5. Save and exit BIOS
  6. Restart Windows

📋 Windows 11 Features Required

Enable these Windows features (all usually enabled by default in Windows 11):

# Run PowerShell as Administrator:

# Enable WSL2 (includes Hyper-V, VirtualMachinePlatform)
wsl --install

# This automatically enables:
# ✓ Windows Subsystem for Linux
# ✓ Virtual Machine Platform
# ✓ Hyper-V features

Alternative: Manual Enable

If wsl --install doesn't work, enable manually:

# Run as Administrator:
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart

# Restart your computer
Restart-Computer

# Set WSL2 as default
wsl --set-default-version 2

🌐 Download Requirements

You'll need to download/install during setup:

  • Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS from Microsoft Store (350 MB)
  • Windows Terminal (optional but recommended) from Microsoft Store

Total Download: ~400-500 MB
Internet Speed: At least 1-2 Mbps
Time to Download: 5-10 minutes

📱 Alternative: Offline Installation

If you don't have Microsoft Store access:

# Download directly from Microsoft:
# https://aka.ms/wslubuntu2404

# Then install manually:
Add-AppxPackage .\Ubuntu_24.04.lts.AppxBundle

🔐 Security Settings

  • Windows Defender: Should NOT block WSL2
  • Firewall: Should allow WSL2 internal networking
  • Antivirus: No conflicts with WSL2
  • Group Policy (if on Pro/Enterprise): No restrictive policies

To check firewall:

# Check if Windows Defender Firewall is on:
Get-NetFirewallProfile | Select-Object Name, Enabled

🖥️ Your Current System (HP Victus 15)

  • Model: HP Victus 15 Laptop
  • OS: Windows 11 (confirmed)
  • Processor: Intel or AMD (check via Settings)
  • RAM: Verify 8GB+ installed
  • Storage: 20GB+ free space verified

Check your specs:

# Open PowerShell and run:
systeminfo

# Look for:
# - OS Name: Windows 11
# - System Manufacturer: HP Inc.
# - Processor: [Your CPU details]
# - Total Physical Memory: [Your RAM]

📖 Knowledge Checklist

  • Comfortable with: Command line / Terminal basics
  • Understood: What WSL2 is (Linux on Windows)
  • Know: File paths (C:\Users, /home/, etc.)
  • Ready for: Learning container technology

⏱️ Time Allocation

  • Initial Setup: 45-60 minutes (one-time)
  • Regular Usage: No additional setup needed
  • Updates: 10-15 minutes per Windows/Ubuntu update

📝 Pre-Setup Checklist

Print or bookmark this checklist:

BEFORE STARTING INSTALLATION:

□ Administrator access confirmed
□ Windows 11 fully updated
□ Virtualization enabled in BIOS
□ Hyper-V features enabled
□ 20GB free disk space verified
□ Internet connection stable
□ No antivirus conflicts
□ System restarted (if enabling virtualization)
□ Time allocated: 45-60 minutes
□ All prerequisites reviewed

🚨 Common Issues Before You Start

"WSL2 not available in my Windows 11?"

  • Your Windows 11 build must be 22621 or later
  • Update Windows: Settings → Update & Security → Check for updates

"Virtualization disabled?"

  • Enable it in BIOS (different per manufacturer)
  • Contact HP Victus support if unsure

"Microsoft Store not available?"

  • Use offline installation method (see Download Requirements)

"Not enough disk space?"

  • Free up space or use external SSD
  • Minimum 20GB for comfortable use

🎯 You're Ready When:

✅ All prerequisites checked
✅ Virtualization enabled
✅ 20GB free space confirmed
✅ Admin access available
✅ Internet connection working
✅ 45-60 minutes available

🚀 Next Step

Once you've completed this checklist, proceed to:

→ WSL2 BASICS: Understanding WSL2