Windows 10: Trouble with installing WSL

Hello! When I try to install WSL Windows Subsystem for Linux on my laptop, everything goes smoothly until I have to restart the laptop. Initially, the update progresses well, reaching approximately 97%. However, at that point, an error message appears: ‘Something unexpected happened. Don’t worry - undo changes. Do not turn off the computer.’ Despite encountering this issue, I attempted to reinstall WSL about four times. Strangely, each time it indicated that Ubuntu was already installed. Additionally, subsequent downloads took only 15-30 seconds, whereas the initial installation process took

:)

 

Trouble Installing WSL

Hello Cheshie，



Welcome to the Microsoft Community！

We understand that you are having problems installing WSL and we understand your confusion and frustration.

This error message indicates that you have encountered a problem where a file already exists when trying to install WSL, preventing the creation of a new file. This may be due to an incomplete cleanup or corruption of a previous WSL installation!



You can try the following steps to resolve this issue:

1. Windows input box search for "cmd" - Run as administrator - In the window that opens, type the following command and press enter to uninstall WSL:

2. Run the following command to re-enable WSL:

3. Finally, run the following command to update WSL:

After completing the above steps, try reinstalling WSL to see if it works.



If your question still persists, since questions about virtual machines are beyond the scope of the forums, we are limited in how we can help you,this question is better suited to be posted in our advanced forums in the Virtual Machines module Azure Virtual Machines - Microsoft Q&A, by clicking on the "Ask a question" button for specific scenarios, and sharing your thoughts there. Ask a specific scenario by clicking "Ask a Question" and share your thoughts, where technical experts dedicated to virtual machine issues will analyze your challenges.



Hope this helps,please feel free to reply me if anything is unclear , thanks.



Best Regards ,

Morning | Microsoft Technical Support Community

 

Trouble Installing WSL

Hi,

Thanks for replying. I tried those steps and I thought it might work but in the end it still gave me the same error.

C:\Windows\system32>dism.exe /online /disable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /norestart

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.19041.3636

Image Version: 10.0.19045.3930

Disabling feature(s)
[==========================100.0%==========================]
The operation completed successfully.

C:\Windows\system32>dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.19041.3636

Image Version: 10.0.19045.3930

Enabling feature(s)
[==========================100.0%==========================]
The operation completed successfully.

C:\Windows\system32>wsl --update
Installing: Windows Subsystem for Linux
Cannot create a file when that file already exists.== ]

C:\Windows\system32>

I guess I'll try over at the forums you suggested. Thank you.

 

wsl installation nightmare

Hello. wsl is commandline perfered. I do not think it has a GUI. The issue maybe that windows terminal is crashing or powershell. For wsl use the command line Win+R C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe

cmd.exe wsl

wsl --list --online

wsl --install -d Ubuntu --web-download

wsl --stats

bash

sudo apt install blahblah

exit

exit

Usally you can just go in the MSstore and click install on Ubuntu ect.

no dns required.

Other options: Viurtal box Or use a live USB Ubunti.iso but dont install.