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I am trying to split the screen to view VIM and the terminal at the same time and I am unsure if I am doing something wrong. The directions I've seen say to install screen (was already installed for me version 4.1.0) and to input "screen" into the terminal then input "Ctrl a |", this is not working for me.

When I type "screen" in the terminal it outputs "Cannot make directory '/var/run/screen': Permission denied". When I input "sudo screen" the screen clears and outputs "[screen is terminating]" from which the terminal works but the screen hotkeys still do not seem to work. If I input "screen" again, it clears the screen again.

"Info Screen" brings me to the documentation page that says to use "C-a" which I am assuming means "Ctrl a" but that does not seem to work (I am holding ctrl and pressing lowercase 'a'). This is my first post so please let me know if I can improve the format of my question (not sure of the correct tag for WSL) and thank you very much for your time.

edit: I have been using tmux for a week now with no problems and I have been avoiding the inherent problem of screen not functioning as planned. From root directory, when I type "ls -ld /var/run/screen" or "ls -l /var/run/screen", I receive the same output "ls: cannot access /var/run/screen: No such file or directory". When I input "ll" or "ls -l", I do not see the directory var.

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  • I was able to split my terminal using tmux.
    – shane armstrong
    Aug 28, 2016 at 16:53
  • If you have resolved your problem it is encouraged to answer your own question so that others with the same issue can benefit from your experience. Thank you!
    – Elder Geek
    Aug 28, 2016 at 17:03
  • This issue ("permission denied") should be solved: please edit your question with the output of ls -ld /var/run/screen and of ls -l /var/run/screen.
    – guntbert
    Aug 28, 2016 at 20:52

2 Answers 2

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Update @ 2016-09-09:

screen should now work fine on Windows 10 RS2 Insiders builds 14915+. See release notes and update in associated bug #774 for more details.

[PS: Please accept this if it answers your question. Thanks.]

2016-08-29 - There's an issue in WSL in Win10AU that prevents screen from operating correctly. The team is working on a fix and will release via the Windows Insiders builds in the coming weeks. Sorry for the inconvenience.

In the interim, you might want to try tmux which works well.

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In your terminal, start screen by typing 'screen' and then hitting enter. Now all commands start with Ctrl-a. That's hold the Ctrl key while pressing lower case a. The next character you enter after that will be the command. Here we go...

Press Ctrl-a and then Shift-S (capital S) That will split the screen. If you press a lowercase s you may need to exit and restart you terminal and screen. Next...

Press Ctrl-a and then Tab. This will put focus on the lower screen. In that screen press Ctrl-a and then c. That will start a new session in that window.

Press Ctrl-a and then Tab to switch back to the upper screen. Pick the one you want your editor to be in and start it as you normally would. Use Ctrl-a and then Tab to go back and forth as desired. A fairly good list of instructions can be found and this LINK

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  • "When I type "screen" in the terminal it outputs "Cannot make directory '/var/run/screen': Permission denied"." He cannot start screen (like myself)
    – rainabba
    Apr 18, 2018 at 21:41

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