Solved Evolution Mail on WSL

for those that are so minded -- if you can get a GUI running on WSL2 -- not so difficult these days - I'd recommend running as email client Evolution.

Update : you don't need to install the full GUI any more

The WSL2 loads your distro really quick (much faster than HYPER-V) and Evolution works flawlessly with different email accounts -- no need to go through all that hassle of "automated set ups" when you need different email servers, different inbound and outbound logon users/ passwords etc and also works with exchange servers.
I'm really liking latest versions of WSL2 on W11 -- don't normally say it but Well done Ms. !!



Always worth looking at alternatives that are free and work hassle free !!! Debian is always extremely long term stable and evolution has improved by a zillion percent in the last few years. I use it often when I'm on the WSL rather than switching back to Outlook -- also for those that have Office Student etc those editions don't have an email client in them. Evolution is 100% compatible with Outlook so no probs sending / receiving mail from one system and using the other.

If people are interested I'll do an "Idiot's way" of setting this up -- it took me over a week of trial,error and frustration but I've got it down to a fine art now and it's really worth while -- no more "Non Windows" VM's these days on a Windows host. Sound works perfectly too and USB devices attachable without issue.

Go on folks --just try it -- well worth it -- forget Ubuntu -- start with Debian --stable and it just works,

Cheers
jimbo

Hi folks
For the nearest decent FREE email client which is the nearest to outlook and doesn't have silly number of account restrictions - etc -- just install ANY linux distro via WSL (version 2), run wsl --update to make sure the latest updates to WSL are installed and simply install Evolution on the wsl system. No extra software is needed and you can run the application from your Windows desktop without even having to start the wsl.,

The latests wsl 2 updates allows direct running of a huge number of GUI type linux programs without the problems of having to install the entire Linux GUI -- this makes wsl really useful too --especially for these sorts of programs. Just create a shortcut by sending to Window desktop and run it.

Cheers
jimbo

Hi folks

@Edwin too !!

Forget eMail client !!!

Here's the screenshot for Evolution on Windows desktop from wsl (runs on wsl versions of ubuntu, debian etc) 100% free and regularly maintained -- 100% clone look alike of Outlook, supports corporate exchange servers and no limits to number of accounts. Also easy to set up especially if you have different user names for inbound / outbound mail servers and passwords.

(after your wsl install --on Debian type systems (Debian, ubuntu etc) simply one time from the wsl consolre run sudo apt --install evolution.

Then create a desktop short cut for it and then shutdown the wsl (wsl --shutdown).

You can then click on your desktop link any time you want to run it without any further ado -- just like running any other windows shortcut.

Easy to install and then it runs seamlessly on Windows desktop --you can even forget wsl is there at all. Forget eMclient Just set up as a desktop short cut -> pin to desktop or taskbar or whatever and when you want to run it just click on the short cut -- works brilliantly.

This is the sort of stuff WSL was really designed for and it works. Seamless desktop integration with Linux programs (where possible) and Windows --who'se to complain with this !!!!.



Cheers
jimbo

@jimbo45
Thanks for the heads-up!

jimbo45 said:

Hi folks

@Edwin too !!

Forget eMail client !!!

Here's the screenshot for Evolution on Windows desktop from wsl (runs on wsl versions of ubuntu, debian etc) 100% free and regularly maintained -- 100% clone look alike of Outlook, supports corporate exchange servers and no limits to number of accounts. Also easy to set up especially if you have different user names for inbound / outbound mail servers and passwords.

(after your wsl install --on Debian type systems (Debian, ubuntu etc) simply one time from the wsl consolre run sudo apt --install evolution.

Then create a desktop short cut for it and then shutdown the wsl (wsl --shutdown).

You can then click on your desktop link any time you want to run it without any further ado -- just like running any other windows shortcut.

Easy to install and then it runs seamlessly on Windows desktop --you can even forget wsl is there at all. Forget eMclient Just set up as a desktop short cut -> pin to desktop or taskbar or whatever and when you want to run it just click on the short cut -- works brilliantly.

This is the sort of stuff WSL was really designed for and it works. Seamless desktop integration with Linux programs (where possible) and Windows --who'se to complain with this !!!!.

View attachment 16854

Cheers
jimbo

Click to expand...

Sounds good and all but after installing WSL, Debian, then Evolution, I get an error when I try to run it stating, "Failed to initialize gtk+: Cannot open display:". So although you made it sound as easy as installing and running, apparently that is not the case for some I suppose

Why would I bother to install a Linux emulator on Windows and then install a Linux mailapp on that, where a few years ago I bought a licence for EM-Client, that functions very well on my system. The reason I bought that licence is that I like to use more than one account. When using just one account, I could use EM-Client for free.

I rather leave my Windows system as it is: use apps that are developed for Windows.

Kees said:

Why would I bother to install a Linux emulator on Windows and then install a Linux mailapp on that, where a few years ago I bought a licence for EM-Client, that functions very well on my system. The reason I bought that licence is that I like to use more than one account. When using just one account, I could use EM-Client for free.

I rather leave my Windows system as it is: use apps that are developed for Windows.

Click to expand...

What you prefer and what I or someone else prefers is not always going to be the same. I like evolution mail much better than other email clients including emClient.

Kees said:

Why would I bother to install a Linux emulator on Windows and then install a Linux mailapp on that, where a few years ago I bought a licence for EM-Client, that functions very well on my system. The reason I bought that licence is that I like to use more than one account. When using just one account, I could use EM-Client for free.

I rather leave my Windows system as it is: use apps that are developed for Windows.

Click to expand...

Sounds like you wouldn't. But some people might and that's who the posts are directed towards.

i personally don't use this either, as my email is in Gmail and i have no interest in keeping any of my email local. So, I don't use a mail client like Outlook or otherwise these days.

Kees said:

Why would I bother to install a Linux emulator on Windows and then install a Linux mailapp on that, where a few years ago I bought a licence for EM-Client, that functions very well on my system. The reason I bought that licence is that I like to use more than one account. When using just one account, I could use EM-Client for free.

I rather leave my Windows system as it is: use apps that are developed for Windows.

Click to expand...

The reason is that if you want a FREE decent email client especially with several accounts and you have WSL on your computer there's nothing wrong in suggesting that.

However since my original posting date Thunderbird -- vastly improved -- is worth looking at as a Free email client with multiple accounts etc and runs on Windows too.

For those who loved the simplicity of Outlook express - there is a "paid clone" OE classic (also free for 1 account) -- this does work very well indeed too -- Supports IMAP, EXCHANGE etc.


@pparks1

OUTLOOK etc can leave mail on server - any client that supports IMAP can leave on server -- I'm surprised POP3 is still mainstream these days. !!


cheers
jimbo