Windows 10: Windows Subsystem for Linux has no installed distributions

Windows 10 supports the installation of a number of distros that come under Windows Subsystem for Linux. But even when these distros are installed users have reported encountering Windows Subsystem for Linux has no installed distributions error. Some of the [...]

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Windows Subsystem for Linux - Installed Distributions Missing

Device type: Laptop

Model: Lenovo ThinkPad W530

OS: Windows 10 Education

Verison: 1803 Build 17134.48

After the 1803 Spring Creators Update was applied on my machine, my Ubuntu 16.04 app no longer worked. It produced the error message:

"Windows Subsystem for Linux has no installed distributions.

Distributions can be installed by visiting the Microsoft Store:

Microsoft - Official Home Page"

I learned this was because my Ubuntu 16.04 install was no longer the default distribution. Using the wslconfig program, I was able to list all distributions and see my Ubuntu install. I set it back to the default and running 'wsl' would work as expected.

However starting today, running the 'wsl' command produces the same error as before. Now there are *no* distributions when I list my installed distributions using 'wslconfig /l'. It seems like my Ubuntu install gone completely now.

1) Are there any other ways of checking if the files within my Ubuntu install are still on my device?

2) Why would a distribution silently be removed, is it an error or the result of some policy(eg. since Ubuntu 18.04 was released)?

 

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.

 

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