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

Discus and support Run Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10 in Windows 10 Tutorials to solve the problem; 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... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Tutorials' started by Brink, Jun 1, 2018.

  1. Brink Win User

    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:
    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.


    Run Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10 [​IMG]






    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


    Run Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10 [​IMG]

    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



    Run Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10 [​IMG]

    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



    Run Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10 [​IMG]

    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



    Run Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10 [​IMG]

    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


    Run Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10 [​IMG]

    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



    Run Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10 [​IMG]

    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



    Run Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10 [​IMG]

    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



    Run Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10 [​IMG]

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

    That's it,
    Shawn


    Related Tutorials

    :)
     
    Brink, Jun 1, 2018
    #1

  2. 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:


    We'll be waiting for your response.
     
    Devlin Sco, Oct 27, 2019
    #2
  3. Brink Win User
    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
     
    Brink, Oct 27, 2019
    #3
  4. Brink Win User

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

    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
     
    Brink, Oct 27, 2019
    #4
  5. Amit_Sun Win User
    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
     
    Amit_Sun, Oct 27, 2019
    #5
  6. 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
     
    Prakhar_Khare, Oct 27, 2019
    #6
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Run Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10

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