Windows 10: Run Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10

How to: Run Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10

How to Run a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in 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 default WSL distro or a specified WSL distro to send commands to.

Starting with Windows 10 build 18342 (19H1) and Windows 10 build 18836 (20H1), Microsoft added some new commands that will give you more functionality when using wsl.exe. The commands that existed inside of wslconfig.exe have been added to wsl.exe to allow you to configure your distros more easily.

See also:

• What’s new for WSL in Windows 10 version 1903?
• Manage Linux Distributions | Microsoft Docs

This tutorial will show you different ways to run a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) distro in Windows 10.


CONTENTS:

• Option One: Run a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro from Start Menu
• Option Two: Run a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro from Command Prompt
• Option Three: Run a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro from PowerShell

OPTION ONE [/i] Run a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro from Start Menu
*note Running a WSL distribution using its distro-specific app launches that distribution in its own console window.
1. Open All Apps in your Start menu.

2. Perform one of the following actions below for how you want to run the installed WSL distro app (ex: "Debian"). (see screenshot below)
A) Click/tap on the WSL distro app (ex: "Debian").

OR

B) Right click/tap on the WSL distro app (ex: "Debian"), click/tap on More, and click/tap on Run as administrator.









OPTION TWO [/i] Run a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro from Command Prompt
1. Open a elevated command prompt.

2. Enter the command you want to use below into the command prompt to run the imported WSL distro app you want. (see screenshots below)
(Run default WSL distro)
*Arrow wsl




OR
(Run default WSL distro as a specific user)
*Arrow wsl -u <Username> OR wsl --user <Username>

*note Substitute <Username> with the name of the user you want to run this WSL distro as. Please note that user must exist inside of the WSL distribution. This will not be a Windows 10 user account.

For example: wsl --user brink




OR
(Run specific WSL distro)
*Arrow wsl -d <DistributionName> OR wsl --distribution <DistributionName>

*note Substitute <DistributionName> with the name of an available WSL distro (ex: "Debian") you want to run.

For example: wsl --distribution Debian




OR
(Run specific WSL distro as a specific user)
*Arrow wsl -u <Username> -d <DistributionName> OR wsl --user <Username> --distribution <DistributionName>

*note Substitute <Username> with the name of the user you want to run this WSL distro as. Please note that user must exist inside of the WSL distribution. This will not be a Windows 10 user account.

Substitute <DistributionName> with the name of an available WSL distro (ex: "Debian") you want to run.

For example: wsl --user brink --distribution Debian




3. When finished, you can close the command prompt if you like.





OPTION THREE [/i] Run a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro from PowerShell
1. Open a elevated PowerShell.

2. Enter the command you want to use below into PowerShell to run the imported WSL distro app you want. (see screenshots below)
(Run default WSL distro)
*Arrow wsl




OR
(Run default WSL distro as a specific user)
*Arrow wsl -u <Username> OR wsl --user <Username>

*note Substitute <Username> with the name of the user you want to run this WSL distro as. Please note that user must exist inside of the WSL distribution. This will not be a Windows 10 user account.

For example: wsl --user brink




OR
(Run specific WSL distro)
*Arrow wsl -d <DistributionName> OR wsl --distribution <DistributionName>

*note Substitute <DistributionName> with the name of an available WSL distro (ex: "Debian") you want to run.

For example: wsl --distribution Debian




OR
(Run specific WSL distro as a specific user)
*Arrow wsl -u <Username> -d <DistributionName> OR wsl --user <Username> --distribution <DistributionName>

*note Substitute <Username> with the name of the user you want to run this WSL distro as. Please note that user must exist inside of the WSL distribution. This will not be a Windows 10 user account.

Substitute <DistributionName> with the name of an available WSL distro (ex: "Debian") you want to run.

For example: wsl --user brink --distribution Debian




3. When finished, you can close PowerShell if you like.

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 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 Remove User from 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 Set Default User for Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10
• How to Switch User 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 Open Linux shell here context menu 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
• 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.

 

Sideloading Custom Linux Distro to Windows 10 Subsystem for Linux

Source: Open Sourcing a WSL Sample for Linux Distribution Maintainers and Sideloading Custom Linux Distributions Windows Command Line Tools For Developers

 

Sideloading Custom Linux Distro to Windows 10 Subsystem for Linux

Source: Open Sourcing a WSL Sample for Linux Distribution Maintainers and Sideloading Custom Linux Distributions Windows Command Line Tools For Developers

 

Error 0x80070003 Windows Subsystem for Linux

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

This issue could occur when distros are not stored on your system driver or if your system is in lower build and also if Windows Subsystem for Linux is not enabled, you can follow the instruction from the article
Windows Subsystem for Linux Installation Guide for Windows 10
and check if this helps you.

You can also Manually download Windows Subsystem for Linux distro packages
and install it.

If you need any further assistance, I suggest you to post your query on
TechNet forums where you will find support engineers who are well equipped with the knowledge and help you fix the issue.

Hope it helps,

Amit Sunar

Microsoft Community – Moderator

 

Issues while installing Windows Subsystem for Linux 2

Hi Paul,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



I understand that you are facing issues while installing Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 on your PC. I certainly appreciate your efforts in trying to resolve the issue by performing certain troubleshooting steps.



I would suggest you to refer the section Set a distro to be backed by WSL 2 using the command line from the article

Installation Instructions for WSL 2 and see if that helps.



However, since the issue is related to Windows Subsystem for Linux, I would suggest you to post your query on

TechNet forums, where we have support professionals who are well equipped with the knowledge to assist you with the query.



Regards,

Prakhar Khare

Microsoft Community – Moderator