How to Update WSL Kernel on Windows 11

Why update the WSL kernel?

Microsoft ships it separately from Ubuntu, Debian or any other distribution you installed, so updating the distribution’s own packages does not update it. You have to update it on the Windows side.

A current kernel matters for three reasons:

• It includes the latest security fixes.
• It helps your Linux tools run faster and more reliably.
• It makes sure newer software works correctly on your system.

This tutorial applies to WSL 2, which is the default for new installs.

What happens when you are done?

When you finish, WSL will use the newest kernel version from Microsoft. Your Linux environment will be more stable, and you will have the latest features and performance improvements. Your distributions, files and settings are not touched by the update.

How to verify your current WSL kernel version

Before you update, check which kernel you are running. That gives you something to compare against afterward. Open Windows Terminal as an administrator and run the `wsl –status` command. The output shows the kernel number currently in use by WSL.

1. Click Start and type Terminal.
2. Right-click Terminal in the results and select Run as administrator. This step requires admin privileges, so you need an administrator account.
3. Click Yes if User Account Control asks for permission. A terminal window opens with "Administrator" in the title bar.
4. Type wsl --status and press Enter. The terminal prints a short summary of your WSL setup.
5. Find the kernel version number in the output and write it down.

If the command is not recognized or prints no kernel line, WSL may not be installed yet, or your WSL version is very old. Updating, as described below, usually fixes the second case.

How to update WSL kernel on 🪟 Windows 11

To update the WSL kernel, run one command in the terminal. The `wsl --update` command finds the newest Linux kernel for WSL and installs it for you.

1. Open Windows Terminal as an administrator, as in the previous section. This step requires admin privileges.
2. Type wsl --update and press Enter. The terminal shows that it is checking for updates.
3. Wait for the process to finish. It downloads the latest linux-msft-wsl package automatically, so do not close the window while it runs.
4. Read the final message. It tells you whether the kernel was updated or whether you already had the latest version.

If the download fails, check that you are online and that a VPN or proxy is not blocking the connection, then run the command again. To confirm the update, run the version check from the previous section again and compare the kernel number with the one you wrote down.

How to update WSL kernel without Microsoft Store

You do not need the Microsoft Store for this. The `wsl --update` command gets the latest files directly from Microsoft's servers, so it works even if the Store is blocked or unavailable on your PC. This is useful on work computers where the Store is disabled by policy.

Is a system reboot required after updating?

Usually, you do not need to restart your computer. However, you must restart the WSL service so the new kernel loads.

1. Save any work in your Linux windows first, because the next step stops everything running inside WSL.
2. In your terminal, run wsl --shutdown. This closes all running Linux distributions.
3. Open your Linux distribution again from the Start menu or from a terminal tab. It starts on the new kernel.

If the update says it is waiting for WSL to stop, or the kernel number has not changed, run the same command again and reopen your distribution. If it still looks wrong, restart Windows. That is rarely needed, but it clears any leftover WSL processes.

Summary

Keeping your WSL kernel updated on Windows 11 is important for security and speed. Run the `wsl --update` command in an administrator terminal, restart WSL, and you are done. Repeat the process every so often, since Microsoft releases new kernel versions regularly.