How to Access Linux Files on Windows 11 Using WSL

Steps to Mount Linux File System on 🪟 Windows 11

Step 1Open PowerShell as Administrator

⚠️ Admin privileges required

Opening PowerShell with administrator privileges sets the stage for the configuration:

1. Click Start ⊞. Type PowerShell.
2. Right-click Windows PowerShell. Select Run as administrator.

Step 2See Your Drives

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) can access your computer’s drives. To check your available hardware, open PowerShell and run `wmic diskdrive list brief` to generate a hardware inventory. This command displays a clear list of your drives, showing their names and sizes, helping you select the correct drive for mounting.

wmic diskdrive list brief

The terminal outputs a list matching this format:

Caption DeviceID Model Partitions Size
SAMSUNG MZVKW512HMJP-000H1 \.PHYSICALDRIVE0 SAMSUNG MZVKW512HMJP-000H1 3 512105932800
ST1000LM035-1RK172 \.PHYSICALDRIVE1 ST1000LM035-1RK172 1 1000202273280

Scanning the DeviceID column reveals the specific names of the physical drives.

Step 3Mount the Linux Drive

Mounting your Linux drive lets you access its files directly from Windows using a PowerShell command. In PowerShell, type 'wsl --mount ', but replace with the specific drive identifier you found earlier, like \.PHYSICALDRIVE0 for the first drive.

wsl --mount <DISKPATH>

For example, mounting the first drive shown above requires this syntax:

wsl --mount \.PHYSICALDRIVE0

Targeting a single partition (part of the drive) requires adding --partition alongside the partition number. For instance, mounting partition 1 on the same drive uses this syntax:

wsl --mount \.PHYSICALDRIVE0 --partition 1

By default, WSL attempts to mount the drive using the ext4 Linux file system. Drives utilizing a different format, like FAT, require the -t option for proper recognition:

wsl --mount <DISKPATH> -t vfat

Step 4Access Linux Files in Windows File Explorer

Once your Linux drive is mounted, Windows File Explorer grants direct access to its contents. Open File Explorer, type '\wsl$' into the address bar at the top, and click your Linux distribution's name to view your files.

In the address bar at the top, type:

\wsl$

Your Linux distributions appear in this directory. Clicking your Linux distro (for example, Ubuntu) opens the mount folder to locate your mounted drive's files.

Step 5Unmount the Linux Drive (When Done)

Disconnecting the Linux drive safely requires returning to PowerShell and running this syntax:

wsl --unmount <DISKPATH>

Example:

wsl --unmount \.PHYSICALDRIVE0

Summary

• WSL lets you run Linux inside Windows 11 easily.
• You can mount and open Linux drives or partitions directly in Windows via PowerShell commands.
• Once mounted, Linux files are available inside Windows File Explorer under \wsl$.
• Remember to unmount your drives safely when done.

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) brings Linux capabilities directly to your Windows 11 computer. Mounting Linux drives or partitions allows direct file management within Windows File Explorer using PowerShell commands and the '\wsl$' path.

How to Install WSL on Windows 11

How to Use File Explorer on Windows 11

How to Run PowerShell as Administrator

If you have questions or want to share your experience, please leave a comment below!