Windows 10: Access WSL Linux Files in Windows 10

How to: Access WSL Linux Files in Windows 10

How to Access Linux Files in a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro from Windows 10


The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a new Windows 10 feature that enables you to run native Linux command-line tools directly on Windows, alongside your traditional Windows desktop and modern store apps.

When you have export and import WSL distros.

In the past, creating and changing Linux files from Windows resulted in losing files or corrupting data. Making this possible has been a highly requested and long anticipated feature.

Starting with Windows 10 build 18342, Microsoft added the ability for users to access Linux files in a WSL distro from Windows 10. These files can be accessed through the command line, and also Windows apps, like File Explorer, VSCode, etc. can interact with these files.

Linux files for a running WSL distro are located at \\wsl$\<distro_name>.

*Warning Known issues

This is a new feature, and some pieces of it may not work perfectly. Here are some known issues that Microsoft wants to make you aware of when using this feature:

• As of right now, the distros files will only be accessible from Windows when the distro is running (We aim to add support for non-running distros in a future update)
  Since the 9P file server runs inside of each distro, it is only accessible when that distro is running. The team is looking into ways to help resolve this.
• Accessing Linux files is treated the same as accessing a network resource, and any rules for accessing network resources will still apply
  e.g: When using CMD, cd \\wsl$\Ubuntu\home will not work (as CMD does not support UNC paths as current directories), however copy \\wsl$\Ubuntu\home\somefile.txt C:\dev\ will work
• The old rules still apply, you should NOT access your Linux files inside of the AppData folder!
  If you try to access your Linux files through your AppData folder, you are bypassing using the 9P server, which means that you will not have access to your Linux files, and you could possibly corrupt your Linux distro.

See also:

• What’s new for WSL in Windows 10 version 1903
• A Deep Dive Into How WSL Allows Windows to Access Linux Files

This tutorial will show you how to access all the Linux files of a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) distro from Windows 10.


CONTENTS:

• Option One: Access Linux Files in File Explorer from Running WSL Distro
• Option Two: Access Linux Files of Running WSL Distro in File Explorer
• Option Three: Access Linux Files of Running WSL Distro in PowerShell

OPTION ONE [/i] Access Linux Files in File Explorer from Running WSL Distro
1. Open the WSL distro (ex: "Ubuntu") you want, and make sure your current folder is your Linux home directory.

2. Copy and paste explorer.exe . in the WSL distro console window, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)



3. File Explorer will now open directly to the Linux files for this WSL distro. From here you can access whatever Linux files you would like, just like you would any other file through File explorer. This includes operations such as: dragging files back and forth to other locations, copy and paste, and even interesting scenarios like using the context menu to open VSCode in a WSL directory. (see screenshot below)








OPTION TWO [/i] Access Linux Files of Running WSL Distro in File Explorer
1. Open File Explorer (Win+E).

2. Click/tap on Linux in the navigation pane of File Explorer, and click/tap on the Distros shortcut. (see screenshot below)



3. Click/tap on the running WSL distro (ex: "Ubuntu") you want to see the files for. (see screenshot below)



4. Click/tap on the Home folder. (see screenshot below)



5. Click/tap on the <username> folder of the user (ex: "brink") you want for this WSL distro (ex: "Ubuntu") . (see screenshot below)



6. You will now see the Linux files of the user for this WSL distro. From here you can access whatever Linux files you would like, just like you would any other file through File explorer. This includes operations such as: dragging files back and forth to other locations, copy and paste, and even interesting scenarios like using the context menu to open VSCode in a WSL directory. (see screenshot below)








OPTION THREE [/i] Access Linux Files of Running WSL Distro in PowerShell
1. Open a elevated PowerShell.

2. Copy and paste the wsl --list --running into PowerShell, and press Enter to see all currently running WSL distros. Make note of the WSL distro name (ex: "Ubuntu") you want to access files for. (see screenshot below)

3. Type the command below into PowerShell, and press Enter to change to the WSL distro's directory.
*Arrow cd \\wsl$\<DistributionName>

*note Substitute <DistributionName> in the command above with the actual WSL distro name (ex: "Ubuntu") you wanted from step 2.

For example: cd \\wsl$\Ubuntu
4. Type ls at the prompt, and press Enter to list the directory above.

5. You can now access your Linux files as usual in PowerShell.





That's it,
Shawn


Related Tutorials

• How to Enable or Disable Windows Subsystem for Linux (Bash on Ubuntu) in Windows 10
• How to Install Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distros in Windows 10
• How to Run a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10
• How to Update and Upgrade Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro Packages in Windows 10
• How to Unregister and Reset Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10
• How to Add User to Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10
• How to Add, Remove, and List Sudo Users in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10
• How to List Users in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10
• How to Change User Password in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10
• How to Reset User Password in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10
• How to Set Default Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10
• How to Export and Import Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10
• How to Add or Remove Linux in Navigation Pane of File Explorer in Windows 10
• How to List All Available Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distros in Windows 10
• How to List All Running Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distros in Windows 10
• How to Terminate Running Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10

:)

 

A Deep Dive Into How WSL Allows Windows 10 to Access Linux Files

Source: https://devblogs.microsoft.com/comma...s-linux-files/




Tip How to Enable or Disable Windows Subsystem for Linux (Bash on Ubuntu) in Windows 10

How to Access Linux Files in a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro from Windows 10

 

A Deep Dive Into How WSL Allows Windows 10 to Access Linux Files

Source: https://devblogs.microsoft.com/comma...s-linux-files/




Tip How to Enable or Disable Windows Subsystem for Linux (Bash on Ubuntu) in Windows 10

How to Access Linux Files in a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro from Windows 10

 

Windows Subsystem Linux

Hello,

We would like to know more about the issue you're experiencing with using
Windows Subsystem for Linux. Kindly answer the following questions:

• Are you developing a program, an app, or a software for Linux?
• Is your Window 10 PC connected to a domain?
• Are you managing a Windows Server PC?
• What troubleshooting steps have you tried so far?
• Can you tell us the Version and OS build of your Windows 10 device? You can find this information by clicking the
  Start button, type About your PC, and then press
  Enter.

We need the following information in order to determine if we need to refer your concern to the
TechNet forums or the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) forums.

For now, we suggest reviewing these support articles to find out if there's an issue with the installation of
Windows Subsystem for Linux:

• Install the Windows Subsystem for Linux
• Troubleshooting Windows Subsystem for Linux

We'll be waiting for your response.

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.

 

How to Access USB Drives via WSL

Hi Gagan,

To better assist you regarding with USB drive issue, we just want to confirm if you're referring to Windows Subsystem for Linux?

If you do, we suggest that you check this
article for more information.

Keep us posted.