Running a Bash File in CMD: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Install Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)
To run Bash scripts, you first need to install WSL, which allows you to run a Linux distribution on Windows.

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator.
2. Run the command:

   css
   wsl --install
   

3. Restart your computer when prompted.

Step 2: Install a Linux Distribution
After installing WSL, you need to install a Linux distribution like Ubuntu.

1. Open the Microsoft Store.
2. Search for “Ubuntu” (or another preferred distribution).
3. Click “Install” and wait for the installation to complete.

Step 3: Access WSL from CMD
Now that WSL and a Linux distribution are installed, you can access the WSL environment from CMD.

1. Open CMD.
2. Type the following command to run WSL:

   wsl
   

3. This command opens the WSL terminal where you can navigate to your Bash script's directory.

Step 4: Run Your Bash Script
With WSL open, you can now execute your Bash script.

1. Navigate to the directory containing your script using cd command.
2. Make sure your script has execute permissions:

   bash
   chmod +x script.sh
   

3. Run your script:

   bash
   ./script.sh
   

Step 5: Optional - Create a Shortcut for Convenience
For easier access, you might want to create a shortcut to run Bash scripts directly from CMD.

1. Create a batch file (run_bash_script.bat) with the following content:

   bash
   @echo off
   wsl bash -c "cd /mnt/c/path/to/your/script && ./script.sh"
   

2. Save this batch file and run it from CMD to execute your Bash script.

Summary: By installing WSL and using CMD to invoke it, you can run Bash scripts on Windows. This process involves installing WSL, choosing a Linux distribution, accessing WSL from CMD, running your script, and optionally creating a shortcut for ease of use.