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Run RetroDECK in WSL on Windows 11

This experiment was initiated by a stupid idea in the RetroDECK Team.

Note: RetroDECK was never intended to be used in this manner and the performance is horrible. It is better to us a solution that is made for Windows like RetroBat.

Disclaimer on Experiments

These experiments are created by the RetroDECK Team and/or Community. The guides are intended for people with technical knowledge and a passion for tinkering. Using these guides might put RetroDECK and your data at risk. The RetroDECK Team can't provide any support for these experiments or fix any issues they might cause on your system or RetroDECK installation.

How-to: Install RetroDECK in WSL on Windows 11

Step 1: Installing Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

  • Open PowerShell as an Administrator.
  • Run the following command to enable WSL and the Virtual Machine Platform:
wsl --install
  • Restart your computer if prompted.

Step 2: Install a Distro

In this example we will install Ubuntu.

  • Open PowerShell as an Administrator.
  • Run the following command to install Ubuntu:
wsl --install -d Ubuntu

Step 2: Install Flatpak Support

  • Launch Ubuntu from the Start menu or by typing wsl in PowerShell.
  • Update the system:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade --yes
  • Install flatpak:
sudo apt install flatpak
  • Install flathub:
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Step 3: RetroDECK

  • Install RetroDECK:
flatpak install --user --noninteractive -y net.retrodeck.retrodeck

Running RetroDECK in WSL

  • After RetroDECK has been installed (follow the guide above)
  • Launch Ubuntu from the Start menu or by typing wsl in PowerShell.
  • Run the following command:
flatpak run net.retrodeck.retrodeck
  • RetroDECK will then boot with horrible performance.

Updating Flatpaks & RetroDECK

  • Run the following command:
flatpak update -y