Windows 10: Recommended way to "dabble" in Linux (SSD native, USB, or WSL)?

Recently I'd been wanting to familiarize myself with Linux again (long time ago I used to run a Sparc Workstation, then later on played with various flavors of Linux), but not quite sure about the best way to go about it.

AFAIK there are 3 main ways to get into doing this:

• Create an additional SSD partition and install Linux
• Create a bootable removable media (e.g. USB drive, external SSD)
• Utilize WSL

I had gone ahead and made a bootable USB (16GB) for Linux Mint. Initially I couldn't access it, then realized it was due to UEFI as primary boot mode--changing to Legacy fixed that. It's very easy to do this on my HP laptop--just start up with the USB drive installed, press F9, and then select the boot option. In Linux Mint, I see the Windows "device" and can browse it. This makes me a bit nervous... as in the past I once ran into trouble with a Windows partition no longer bootable, despite no user actions to disturb files while running a Linux instance (had painful gyrations to fix MBR, etc.).

The last one, WSL intrigues me. I hadn't been aware of WIndows 10 now offering this. On my primary system, I'm running Windows 10 20H2, with 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD. Would running the WSL be the easiest, simplest, safest way to get into using Linux again? Is it essentially like a VM? Or is it quite limited and not able to convey the full Linux OS experience?

:)

 

How to Access USB Drives via WSL

Hi Gagan,

To better assist you regarding with USB drive issue, we just want to confirm if you're referring to Windows Subsystem for Linux?

If you do, we suggest that you check this
article for more information.

Keep us posted.

 

What about natively supporting Android apps through WSL's concept?

Greetings,

The whole Windows Subsystem for Linux is a VERY nice feature; Google is still keeping up their chrome os project with the "you can run android apps" thing as main selling point, although third party applications like Nox and Bluestacks already let you do
that on windows through emulation.

My point is, Android is built on Linux kernel, and WSL ties linux with windows; wouldn't it be a good, already working base to start working on a native support for android apps on windows?

Why hasn't this been done? It would even benefit devices like thesurface pro, other than making android apps testing on desktop more direct (the same way you can set visual studio to target wsl as linux support for testing purposes)

 

Using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) in an Enterprise

Source: Using WSL in an Enterprise Windows Command Line Tools For Developers