> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://moxwel.gitbook.io/basics/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://moxwel.gitbook.io/basics/software/wsl/graphical-interfaces.md).

# Graphical Interfaces

{% hint style="warning" %}
**This topic is:&#x20;**&#x20;<mark style="background-color:red;">**advanced**</mark>&#x20;

If you know how to use Linux and you are comfortable using it, you can do this.
{% endhint %}

You know WSL can be accessed only by command line. But there's a way to use GUI[^1] apps.

## WSLg (preinstalled)

WSL2 now have its own graphic server called WSLg. It's preinstalled and ready to go.

<figure><img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/microsoft/wslg/main/docs/WSLg_IntegratedDesktop.png" alt=""><figcaption><p>GUI applications from WSL showing in Windows Desktop through WSLg</p></figcaption></figure>

{% embed url="<https://github.com/microsoft/wslg>" %}
WSLg GitHub repository
{% endembed %}

You can try it, install some GUI application like `mousepad` in WSL.

```
sudo apt install mousepad
```

You will see Mousepad in your Windows Start Menu.

In my experience, I prefer using an alternative because WSLg gave me some problems, it's beta anyways, errors may happen.

## GWSL

<figure><img src="https://1372910843-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fj93R6i5LFt65ZuPhYR8e%2Fuploads%2FQFciiEqLjNLzojNfoqYe%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=d10469b4-e212-47bd-b551-ad28ccf1a53d" alt=""><figcaption><p>GWSL menu in Windows</p></figcaption></figure>

{% embed url="<https://opticos.github.io/gwsl/>" %}
GWSL web page
{% endembed %}

The same name? Almost! GWSL is an XServer[^2], the same idea as WSLg. In my opinion, with GWSL I feel more "in control" than WSLg. We need to configure it before using.

### Install

You can install GWSL from the [**Microsoft Store**](https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/gwsl/9NL6KD1H33V3). Don't worry by the price, that's a donation. If you want it just for free just click "Free Trial", you will have it forever.

When it is installed open GWSL from your Start Menu.

{% hint style="info" %}
If is the first time you open GWSL in your PC, a firewall prompt may appear. Allow access.
{% endhint %}

### Configure

Before we continue, we need to tell our distro to use GWSL for display exporting.

GWSL is designed to be easy to configure without using any commands.

Open GWSL menu (click the icon in the taskbar) and select **"GWSL Distro Tools"**. Then **"Display/Audio Auto-Exporting"**, **"LibGL Indirect"** and **"Configure DBus"**.

<figure><img src="https://1372910843-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fj93R6i5LFt65ZuPhYR8e%2Fuploads%2FlC9EcOfPX5GMbO60dDhT%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=de134fc6-3394-43cd-af30-1c90538453cd" alt=""><figcaption><p>Look at the marked options, must be like this.</p></figcaption></figure>

Then, click **"Reboot Ubuntu 20.04"**. That's it.

To check if GWSL was properly configured, check your `.bashrc` file. At the end, it must have these lines:

{% code title="File: \~/.bashrc" %}

```bash
export LIBGL_ALWAYS_INDIRECT=1 #GWSL
export DISPLAY=$(cat /etc/resolv.conf | grep nameserver | awk '{print $2; exit;}'):0.0 #GWSL
export PULSE_SERVER=tcp:$(cat /etc/resolv.conf | grep nameserver | awk '{print $2; exit;}') #GWSL
```

{% endcode %}

### Disable WSLg

If you use GWSL, is recommended to disable WSLg too. For this, you must create the file `.wslconfig` in your **Windows personal folder** (`%HOMEPATH%`). Inside, put this:

{% code title="File: %HOMEPATH%.wslconfig" %}

```
[wsl2]
guiApplications=false
```

{% endcode %}

Now WSLg is disabled and we can use GWSL without conflicts.

### Run Linux apps

Supposing you have installed the same application as before (Mousepad). Open your GWSL Menu and go to **"Linux Apps"**, you will see the app there.

### Create shortcuts

With GWSL you can create your own shortcuts. Open the menu and select **"Shortcut Creator"**.

<figure><img src="https://1372910843-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fj93R6i5LFt65ZuPhYR8e%2Fuploads%2FFvt1ABpa1vuhAWU8Bufq%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=9c199372-9fad-4eec-b923-df7b61262a12" alt=""><figcaption><p>Shortcut Creator window</p></figcaption></figure>

There you can specify the command of the app to be opened, if it requires 'sudo', and more settings if you need. The shortcut will be created in your Start Menu.

[^1]: **Graphical User Interface**

    A form of user interface that let users interact with graphics like images, icons and audio with the software.

    [\[ Wikipedia \]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphical_user_interface)

[^2]: **X Window System**

    [\[ Wikipedia \]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_Window_System)