What Is Linux, and How Can You Start Using It on Windows?

Linux is used for programming, websites, servers, automation, and everyday computing. You can begin learning it on your Windows computer through Windows Subsystem for Linux, or WSL.

In this lesson, we will cover seven chapters:

1. What Is an Operating System?
2. Understanding Linux, Ubuntu, and WSL
3. What Does Open Source Mean?
4. What Can You Do with Linux?
5. Your First Linux Commands in WSL
6. How to Begin Learning Linux
7. Questions and Answers

Introduction

Welcome to Webmind, where we make computer skills easier to understand, one lesson at a time.

You do not need to replace Windows to begin learning Linux. WSL lets you run a Linux environment while keeping your Windows applications.

Throughout this series, we will use Ubuntu running in WSL, accessed through Windows Terminal.

This first lesson explains the basic concepts and introduces three simple commands. You do not need programming experience.

For the command demonstration, WSL and Ubuntu should already be installed. We will cover installation separately. If you have not installed them yet, you can still follow the explanations and review the examples.

Chapter One: What Is an Operating System?

An operating system, or OS, is the main software that manages a computer and allows applications to run.

Windows and macOS are familiar examples.

When you open a browser, save a document, or connect to a network, the operating system helps make those actions possible.

Its responsibilities include:

• Managing memory and processor time.
• Organizing files and directories.
• Providing access to devices.
• Managing user accounts and permissions.
• Supporting applications and network connections.

For example, a photo application displays a picture. The operating system helps it read the file, use memory, and show the image on your screen.

Linux-based operating systems perform these same basic jobs.

Chapter Two: Understanding Linux, Ubuntu, and WSL

Three names appear throughout this series: Linux, Ubuntu, and WSL. They describe different parts of our learning environment.

Linux: The foundation

Strictly speaking, Linux is a kernel.

The kernel is the central part of a system that manages hardware resources and supports running programs.

In everyday conversation, people also use “Linux” to describe complete operating systems built around the Linux kernel.

Ubuntu: The distribution

A Linux distribution combines the kernel with tools, libraries, and other software to provide a complete system.

Ubuntu is one distribution. Others include Debian, Fedora, and Linux Mint.

The Linux kernel website explains why a distribution is the usual starting point for someone who wants a complete Linux system.

WSL: Linux on Windows

WSL stands for Windows Subsystem for Linux.

It allows you to run a Linux environment on Windows, including Linux command-line tools and applications.

In our series:

Name	Role
Windows	The operating system on our computer
WSL	Provides the environment for running Linux on Windows
Ubuntu	The Linux distribution we use
Windows Terminal	The application window used to access our Ubuntu session

Windows Terminal can also display PowerShell and Command Prompt. Opening it does not automatically mean you are using Linux. For our exercises, select the Ubuntu profile.

Chapter Three: What Does Open Source Mean?

Linux is open source.

Source code is the set of instructions developers use to build software. Open-source software makes that code available to study, modify, and share under the terms of its license.

This allows communities and companies to contribute improvements and adapt software for different purposes.

You do not need to read or modify source code to use Linux.

Many distributions are available without a purchase fee. However, professional support, hosting, and maintenance services can cost money.

Open source describes how software can be accessed and developed. It does not mean that every related service is free.

For additional background, see Red Hat’s introduction to Linux.

Chapter Four: What Can You Do with Linux?

Linux supports many different activities. In this series, we will focus on skills you can practice in the WSL command-line environment.

Learn programming

You can write programs, run them, and explore development tools.

For example, a Python program could organize files into folders or process information from a text file.

You can learn programming on other operating systems too. Linux is useful when you want experience with an environment also used on servers.

Understand websites and servers

A server provides services to other computers. Linux can run web servers, databases, and applications.

Your WordPress hosting provider may use Linux behind the scenes. You can publish articles without managing that system yourself, but learning Linux can help you understand how hosting works.

WSL provides a place to practice many relevant tools. It does not automatically turn your computer into a publicly accessible website server.

Automate repetitive tasks

A script is a saved sequence of instructions.

You might use one to rename files, search through documents, or repeat a routine task.

We will start with individual commands before combining them into useful workflows.

Explore everyday computing

A full Linux desktop can provide browsers, document applications, file managers, and media tools.

Our lessons will concentrate on using Linux through WSL, rather than replacing your Windows desktop.

Chapter Five: Your First Linux Commands in WSL

Open Windows Terminal, click the arrow beside the tab button, and select Ubuntu.

You should see a prompt indicating that the environment is ready for a command. Its appearance may differ from the examples shown in the video.

Type each command in lowercase and press Enter.

Find your current directory

pwd

The command means print working directory. It displays the path of your current directory.

A directory is what we commonly call a folder.

If your session starts in your Linux home directory, the result will usually resemble:

/home/yourusername

Your actual path depends on your username and where the session starts.

List visible files and directories

ls

This command lists visible items in the current directory.

If no items appear before the next prompt, the directory may contain no visible files or folders. That does not necessarily indicate an error.

Check your Linux username

whoami

This command displays the username of the current Linux account.

Your Linux username may differ from your Windows username because they are separate accounts.

Review the three commands

Command	Question it answers
pwd	Where am I?
ls	What is here?
whoami	Who am I?

These commands display information. They do not delete files or change system settings.

The basic pattern is simple: type a command, press Enter, and read the result.

Chapter Six: How to Begin Learning Linux

Start with a few commands and understand their results before adding more.

In upcoming lessons, we will practice:

• Moving between directories.
• Creating a practice folder.
• Creating and reading files.
• Understanding permissions.
• Installing and using tools.

Always check which terminal environment you are using. An Ubuntu tab runs a different command environment from a PowerShell tab.

Linux paths also look different from Windows paths. They use forward slashes and begin from a root directory.

WSL can access Windows files, but we will begin our exercises in the Linux home directory to keep the examples clear. Later, we will create a dedicated practice folder.

Choose a practical goal to guide your learning:

I would like to learn Linux because I want to __________.

You might want to learn programming, understand website hosting, or automate a repetitive task.

Chapter Seven: Questions and Answers

What does an operating system do?

An operating system manages computer resources and allows applications to run.

What is the difference between Linux, Ubuntu, and WSL?

Linux is the kernel at the foundation of our system. Ubuntu is the Linux distribution we use. WSL allows us to run that Linux environment on Windows.

Is Windows Terminal the same as Linux?

No. Windows Terminal is an application that can display different command-line environments. In our demonstration, we selected Ubuntu to enter Linux.

Do I have to replace Windows?

No. We are using Ubuntu through WSL while keeping Windows.

What did our three commands tell us?

pwd showed our current directory. ls listed its visible contents. whoami displayed our Linux username.

Conclusion

You now know what an operating system does, how Linux relates to Ubuntu, and how WSL lets you begin learning Linux on Windows.

You have also explored practical uses and learned three commands: pwd, ls, and whoami.

In the next lesson, we will explore Linux directories and practice moving around our WSL environment.

Thank you for learning with Webmind. If you found this lesson useful, share it with another beginner. If you are following the video series, please like the video and subscribe for future lessons.

What would you like to do with Linux? Tell us in the comments.

See you in the next lesson.