How to Check Windows Subsystem for Linux Version

If you want to check WSL version details on your computer, the fastest way is to use the command wsl -l -v. This guide explains how to identify your current version, why it matters, and how to upgrade to the faster WSL 2.

Why check your WSL version?

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) lets you run Linux tools inside Windows. There are two main versions. WSL 1 is the older version. WSL 2 is the newer, faster version. It uses a real Linux kernel. Knowing your version helps you decide if you need an upgrade for better performance.

What happens when done?

After following these steps, you will see a list of your installed Linux distributions. You will see their status and their version number. This confirms if you are using the latest technology.

Steps to check your WSL version

Note: You must have administrative access to perform these steps.

1. Click the Start menu.
2. Search for PowerShell or Command Prompt.
3. Right-click the result and select Run as administrator.

Once the window is open, type the following command and press Enter:

wsl --list --verbose

You can also use this shorter version:

wsl -l -v

You should see output that looks like this:

  NAME      STATE           VERSION
* Ubuntu    Running         2
  Debian    Stopped         1

Understanding WSL 2 vs WSL 1

WSL 1 translates Linux commands into Windows commands. WSL 2 runs a full Linux kernel. This makes WSL 2 much faster for file operations. It also supports all Linux apps. If you use Docker Desktop, WSL 2 is required for the best performance.

How to upgrade to WSL 2

If you see a 1 in the version column, you should upgrade. First, update your kernel. Run this command as an administrator:

wsl --update

Then, set your distribution to version 2:

wsl --set-version <distro-name> 2

Replace <distro-name> with the name shown in your list. You can find the official Microsoft WSL installation guide here.

Summary

• WSL allows you to run Linux tools directly inside Windows.
• Use wsl -l -v in an administrator terminal to check your version.
• WSL 2 is faster and recommended for most users, especially for Docker Desktop.
• Always run wsl --update to keep your kernel current.
• Upgrading is simple using the wsl --set-version command.