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I'm using WSL on Windows 10. I've installed gtkwave through the terminal, but I am unable to run it. My system gives me the following error:

Could not initialize GTK!  Is DISPLAY env var/xhost set?

I've tried installing xhost, but running xhost +LOCAL: only gives this error:

xhost:  unable to open display ":0"

How can I fix this and run GTK GUIs?

Zanna
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namila007
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2 Answers2

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WSL doesn't come with an X server by default, because Windows doesn't use an X server. Which would also be why xhost failed to do anything remotely useful.

In order to do something like this, you need to download an X server for Windows, and then configure that. For example, you can use the Xming project to run a display server. When launching Xming, you can use the -multiwindow option to make it so you don't have a virtual desktop. However, this may not be the case with other X servers present on Windows.

You can find a quick tutorial here for Xming specifically (really, it's just install + configure + export DISPLAY=:0) or here also for Xming. Alternatively you can use MobaXTerm (tutorial), which will achieve the same basic result.

In short, find an X server you like, and install it on Windows. After that, your WSL instance should be able to pick up on the fact that an X server is available, and you should be able to run GUI-based programs without much hassle.

Zanna
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Kaz Wolfe
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  • thanks for the reply ,i ran mobaxterm and then set the Displayport export DISPLAY=localhost:0.0 ,then GTK worked .thanks again :) – namila007 Mar 28 '17 at 19:08
  • @namila007 No problem! Oh, by the way, welcome to Ask Ubuntu. I hope you enjoy your stay here. Might I also suggest you visit our [tour]? It's a great way for new users to get quickly familiarized with the site, and to get a free badge. – Kaz Wolfe Mar 28 '17 at 19:11
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    thanks,sure im gonna stay here coz i started using ubuntu(kubuntu) recently . i already visited it .thankyou :) – namila007 Mar 28 '17 at 19:14
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As of today, WSL should be able to run GTK software. If not, try updating your WSL from cmd/powershell.

wsl --update
willnode
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