Emacs in WSL2 with VcXsrv (graphical mode)

Goal

• Launch Emacs in graphical mode from WSL2 (Ubuntu) without using built-in WSLg X11 server
• Avoid the black terminal window when starting Emacs from a Windows icon
• Have a clickable icon in the Windows Taskbar

Steps to reach the goal

• Install an external open-source X11 server recommended VcXsrv
• Create a .vbs file to hide the Windows terminal window that normally appears when launching Emacs from a .bat file
• Create a .bat file that the .vbs file calls to start Emacs cleanly
• Windows does not allow pinning .vbs files directly to the Taskbar or Start menu
  • Create a shortcut to wscript.exe that runs your .vbs file:
    • Right-click on desktop => New => Shortcut
    • Use this as the target: wscript.exe "C:\Scripts\start-emacs-x11.vbs"

Verification that Emacs is using VcXsrv (X11)

• In Emacs: M-: and evaluate: (getenv "DISPLAY") If it returns an IP address (e.g., 192.168.x.x:0), it's likely using VcXsrv

• Also check: (getenv "WAYLAND_DISPLAY") If it returns nil, Emacs is not using WSLg's built-in Wayland/X server

• To ensure WSLg is disabled, add this to your .bashrc: unset WAYLAND_DISPLAY