How to Change Default Distro in Windows Subsystem for Linux
The default Linux distribution in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is the specific Linux environment that opens automatically when you run the wsl command on your PC. Ubuntu takes this default spot by right when you set up your very first Linux distro, but you can easily change it to Debian, Fedora, or any other installed version.
WSL runs Linux tools directly on Windows without a heavy virtual machine. Switching your default distro takes less than a minute and saves you from typing extra commands every time you open a terminal.
Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell as administrator and use wsl –set-default to change your default Linux distribution. Run wsl –list –verbose first to see your installed distro names.
Understanding WSL Versions
Windows Subsystem for Linux operates on two main versions: WSL 1 and WSL 2. WSL 2 offers better speed and includes a full Linux kernel.
| Command Output | Meaning |
|---|---|
| (Default) | The distro that opens when you type wsl |
| Stopped | The distro is not currently running |
| Running | The distro is active in the background |
How to Change Your Default WSL Distro
Changing your default WSL distro is done with a single command. This ensures the correct Linux system starts automatically when you open WSL, saving you the step of picking it each time. First, open Windows Terminal or PowerShell as an administrator.
- Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell.
- Right-click the icon and select Run as administrator.
- Type the following command to see your installed distros:
wsl --list --verbose - Identify the name of the distro you want to set as default.
- Run the following command to change it:
wsl --set-default <DistroName> - Replace <DistroName> with your chosen distro, for example:
wsl --set-default Ubuntu
Summary
Changing your default Linux distribution in WSL is a quick way to manage your development environment.
What happens to my files when I change the default WSL distro?
Switching the default environment leaves existing files untouched. Data remains securely stored inside the virtual disk assigned to each specific distribution. You can still get to files in your other Linux systems by using their specific commands or by finding them through Windows File Explorer.What happens to my files when I change the default WSL distro?
Switching the default environment leaves existing files untouched. Data remains securely stored inside the virtual disk assigned to each specific distribution. You can still access files in your non-default distributions by using the specific command for that distro or by navigating through the Windows file explorer network path.
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