Hi folks
On WSL2 it's easy enough to get some graphical programs running -- but I have yet to get anything like a full desktop GUI to work -- currently issues are :
Wayland instead of the older xorg for video / x-server etc,
systemd not implemented - this means the "classical ways of enabling and starting services" e.g systemctl start gddm (starts the GNOME desktop service) don't work as well as DBUS issues.
The kernel is Ms's kernel --even if you import your own distro so trying to battle to get a desktop GUI on WSL is a bit of a thankless task currently. Once somebody has (as I'm sure they will) mastered how to do it and posted working instructions that aren't 1 year out of date (or more) then my advice is if you want a Linux desktop - use a proper VM -- if you just want the odd Windowed program e.g most Linux file managers are infinitely better than the increasingly old fashioned looking file explorer then install something like dolphin.
Samba also is worth installing as your linux file manager can then access files over your network -- and of course can read / write Linux file systems as well as windows (install ntfs-3g for windows ntfs r/w).
Note also Linux File managers can see "long file / path names" and don't suffer the irritation that still bedevils file explorer with the 266 char limit.
Finally if you use torrents - by far the best torrent client is deluge on Linux -- install 2 components -- deluge-gtk and deluge.
These all run on Windowed mode in the WSL on the 4 distros Ive tried so I'd imagine they'd work on yours. No need to install any extra X-Server on Windows such as VCXSRV. I've tried Rocky-Linux 8 (successor for Centos 8), Arch Linux, Ubuntu, and Fedora -- not got a full desktop GUI - even the lean XFCE doesn't appear other than just a black screen on any of them yet but many windowed programs will work -- you have to launch them from the console.
Note also USB devices are easy to attach to the WSL2 distro.
as per
Attach USB devices to WSL the EASY way
Hi folks Running RockyLinux 8 based on RHEL 8 (RockyLinux successor / alternative to CENTOS 8) and similar to FEDORA. simple way : no special software needed 1) from Powershell on Windows : List disk type devices (including usb drives) and attach the one('s) you want using the DeviceID...
www.elevenforum.com
@pparks1
I tried that on 2 different systems -- failed both times to give me a desktop -- that's on W11 preview release.
I'll have another go on a W10 system which might work - however I just get the feeling I'm fighting a losing battle on this one -- it would of course be nice to have a full desktop GUI in the WSL but some might ask what's the point of say running FF on the WSL when you have it on Windows !! --- my answer would be -- Because you can !! (at least in theory).
Cheers
jimbo