Windows 10: Terminate Running Windows Subsystem for Linux Distro in Windows 10

How to: Terminate Running Windows Subsystem for Linux Distro in Windows 10

How to Terminate Running 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.

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.

--terminate or --t has been added to wsl.exe that will immediately terminate a running imported WSL distro.

See also: What’s new for WSL in Windows 10 version 1903?

This tutorial will show you how to terminate a running Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) distro for your account in Windows 10.


CONTENTS:

• Option One: See List of All Running Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distros
• Option Two: Terminate Running Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Settings
• Option Three: Terminate Running Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Command Prompt
• Option Four: Terminate Running Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in PowerShell

OPTION ONE [/i] See List of All Running Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distros
1. For how, see: How to List All Running Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distros in Windows 10

*note This will show you the names of all currently running WSL distros for your account.
















OPTION TWO [/i] Terminate Running Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Settings

*note This option will only work for a running app of an imported WSL distro.
1. Open Settings, and click/tap on the Apps icon.

2. Click/tap on a running WSL distro app (ex: "Debian") from Option One on the right side you want to terminate, and click/tap on the Advanced options link. (see screenshot below)



3. Scroll down and click/tap on the Terminate button to force close the WSL distro app (ex: "Debian"). (see screenshot below)








OPTION THREE [/i] Terminate Running Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Command Prompt
1. Open a command prompt.

2. Enter the command below for your version of Windows 10 into the command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
(For Windows 10 version 1903 and later)
*Arrow wsl -t <DistributionName> OR wsl --terminate <DistributionName>

OR

(For versions earlier than Windows 10 version 1903)
*Arrow wslconfig /t <DistributionName> OR wslconfig /terminate <DistributionName>

*note Substitute <DistributionName> in the command above with the actual WSL distro name (ex: "Debian") from Option One you want to terminate.

For example: wsl --terminate Debian

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









OPTION FOUR [/i] Terminate Running Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in PowerShell
1. Open a PowerShell.

2. Enter the command below for your version of Windows 10 into PowerShell, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
(For Windows 10 version 1903 and later)
*Arrow wsl -t <DistributionName> OR wsl --terminate <DistributionName>

OR

(For versions earlier than Windows 10 version 1903)
*Arrow wslconfig /t <DistributionName> OR wslconfig /terminate <DistributionName>

*note Substitute <DistributionName> in the command above with the actual WSL distro name (ex: "Debian") from Option One you want to terminate.

For example: wsl --terminate Debian

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





That's it,
Shawn


Related Tutorials

• How to Terminate Store Apps in Windows 10
• 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
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• 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 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 Set Default Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distro in Windows 10
• How to Run a 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

 

Unable to enable Windows Subsystem for Linux

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



I understand that you have downloaded Linux Terminal from Microsoft Store and you are getting an error when running the PowerShell command. However, as per the article

Windows Subsystem for Linux Installation Guide for Windows 10 you need to run the PowerShell command first and then install the required Linux distribution from the store. I suggest you to try running the PowerShell command
first and check.



For more information on Windows Subsystem for Linux, please refer the articles

Windows Subsystem for Linux Documentation and

Troubleshooting Windows Subsystem for Linux.



If the issue persists, I suggest you to post your query in
TechNet forums, where we have support professionals and experts on this query to assist you with the appropriate details.



Regards,

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator

 

unable to run windows subsystem for linux file system error (12029)

I have enabled Linux subsystem for WIndows and rebooted and tried installing several different linux distros from Microsoft store but all install and give same file system error. I am running win 10 pro 1903

Help!

 

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