How to Install Dig on Windows with WSL

Dig (Domain Information Groper) is a powerful network administration tool for querying Domain Name System (DNS) records. It is commonly available on Unix-based systems like Linux and macOS, but it can also be installed on Windows with simple steps. Knowing how to install and use Dig on Windows is essential if you’re a network administrator, a cybersecurity professional, or an enthusiast who troubleshoots DNS issues.

This guide will walk you through installing Dig on Windows using WSL. You can run Dig quickly using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). We’ll also cover troubleshooting tips in case you run into any issues.

What is Dig, and Why is it Useful?

What is Dig

Dig is a network tool that allows users to query DNS records for a domain name. Unlike the essential nslookup tool, Dig provides more detailed information and will enable users to query different types of DNS records, such as:

• A (Address record)
• MX (Mail Exchange)
• CNAME (Canonical Name)
• NS (Name Server)
• TXT (Text Record)

Dig is a powerful tool for troubleshooting DNS issues and obtaining detailed domain information.

What are the uses of Dig

Dig is widely used for:

• DNS Troubleshooting: If you’re having DNS resolution problems, Dig can help identify misconfigurations or DNS issues.
• Performance Testing: Measure DNS query resolution times to optimize network performance.
• Security Testing: Detects vulnerabilities in DNS configurations.
• Advanced Querying: Perform complex DNS queries with granular control over timeouts, query types, and more.

Requirements Before Installing Dig

Before installing Dig on your Windows system, check if the following requirements are met:

• Windows 10 or Higher: Some installation methods require Windows 10 or later. Specific methods may not be applicable if you have an older Windows version.
• Internet Connection: You’ll need internet access to download software.
• Administrator Access: Some installation methods require administrative privileges. Make sure you have the necessary permissions.

How to Install Dig Using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

WSL lets you run a complete Linux distribution on your Windows machine. This method is often the easiest and most flexible way to use Dig on Windows.

Installing WSL on Windows

Follow these steps to enable and install WSL on your Windows machine:

Enable WSL:

• Open PowerShell by right-clicking and selecting “Run as administrator.”
• Run the following command:

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

Enable Virtual Machine Platform:

WSL 2 requires the Virtual Machine Platform feature. Run:

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart

Restart Your Computer:

• Reboot your computer.

Install a Linux Distribution:

• Open the Microsoft Store, search for a Linux distribution (Ubuntu, Debian, etc.), and click Install.

Set Up WSL:

• Launch the Linux distribution from the Start menu after installation. Create a username and password.

Installing Dig on WSL

After setting up WSL, follow these steps to install Dig:

1. Open your WSL terminal (e.g., Ubuntu).
2. Update the package list with this command

sudo apt update

Install Dig by running:

sudo apt install dnsutils

Verifying Installation

To verify that Dig is working correctly, simply type:

dig

How to Troubleshoot Installation Issues for Dig

If you run into issues, here are some tips to resolve common problems:

• Confirm Administrative Access: Some operations require elevated permissions. Right-click on installation files and choose “Run as Administrator.”
• Check Your Internet Connection: Many installation methods require Internet access to download software.
• Verify Installation Path: Check if the installation directory is added to your system’s PATH to allow easy access to Dig from any terminal window.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I use Dig on Windows without installing additional software?

No, Dig is not natively available on Windows. You’ll need to use one of the methods described, such as WSL, to get Dig on your system.

Q2: How do I perform a basic DNS query with Dig?

To perform a basic query, simply type:

dig example.com

This will return information about the example.com domain.

Conclusion

Following one of the methods outlined in this guide, you should now have Dig installed and running on your Windows machine. When using WSL on Windows, you can query DNS records, troubleshoot DNS issues, and gather valuable information for network diagnostics.

Check out this guide to learn about the Dig command.

With Dig up and running, you can perform more advanced queries than the built-in tools provide, making it a great addition to your DNS troubleshooting toolkit.

About the writer

Vinayak Baranwal wrote this article. Use the provided link to connect with Vinayak on LinkedIn for more insightful content or collaboration opportunities.