Make a shortcut to Ubuntu bash.exe on Windows 10 that doesn't auto-close

Question

I would like to make a shortcut on Windows 10 that opens C:\Windows\System32\bash.exe (Ubuntu on Windows 10), runs a command and doesn't close the terminal.

I made a shortcut with target to C:\Windows\System32\bash.exe -c free and it runs the "free" command but closes the terminal right after running it. How to prevent it from closing?

Also what would be better: is there a way to load a bash script using such a shortcut (a set of commands located in a text file that such a shortcut would open and execute one after another) without closing the terminal after the execution? I suppose preventing the terminal from closing when running a "target" and a text file would be two separate methods?

Answer 1

You can create a shortcut from the Application folder:

1. Access the Application folder by entering explorer shell:AppsFolder in Windows Command Prompt.
2. Right-click on Ubuntu or other applications -> Create shortcut
3. Click Yes on the msgbox saying the shortcut can be placed on the desktop.
4. Enjoy!

Answer 2

Adding & pause to the command line might work. I can't test it since I can't run the Linux tools for Windows 10.

Answer 3

In this case since you didn't modify any environmental state, you can simply start another bash session like this

C:\Windows\System32\bash.exe -c "free; bash"

or maybe better

C:\Windows\System32\bash.exe -c "free; exec $SHELL"

If environment variables need to be changed then just write the commands in the rc_file and call bash with

C:\Windows\System32\bash.exe --rcfile rc_file