# Install kdb-x on windows without WSL

**URL:** <https://forum.kx.com/t/install-kdb-x-on-windows-without-wsl/15567>\
**Category:** Community Support\
**Tags:** kdb-x\
**Created:** [October 16, 2026, 12:35pm UTC](https://forum.kx.com/t/install-kdb-x-on-windows-without-wsl/15567 "2026-10-16T12:35:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mauricemoore77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@mauricemoore77](https://forum.kx.com/u/mauricemoore77)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2026, 12:35pm UTC](https://forum.kx.com/t/install-kdb-x-on-windows-without-wsl/15567/1 "2026-10-16T12:35:56Z")

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Hello,

The install guide for kdb-x says "For Windows, use WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux)."

But our company does not allow WSL for cyber reasons, any other options available for installing and working with kdb on a windows PC?

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**Author:** ![vajindarladdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/82dd89/32.png) [@vajindarladdad](https://forum.kx.com/u/vajindarladdad)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2026, 11:34am UTC](https://forum.kx.com/t/install-kdb-x-on-windows-without-wsl/15567/2 "2026-10-17T11:34:38Z")

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Hello,

I think at organisation level , it is always recommended to have Linux OS & infra team should not have problem with Linux OS.

Can you try below options:

- **Oracle VM VirtualBox** — A free, open-source hypervisor that lets you run full Linux distributions inside Windows with a complete visual desktop environment.
- **VMware Workstation Player** — A free-for-personal-use hypervisor that provides excellent performance and deep Windows integration for standard Linux virtual machines.