How to Mount USB Drives in WSL
Mounting USB drives in WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux, a feature that runs Linux environments directly inside Windows) lets you access flash drives and external storage from your Linux files. You need WSL 2 on Windows 11 Build 19041 or higher to use these steps, because older versions do not support direct disk attachment.
Connecting an external drive requires the `wsl –mount` command in PowerShell to bring the hardware into your Linux setup. Once you plug in the device, you can read and write files just like you do on a normal Linux computer.
Mount USB storage drives in WSL using `wsl –mount \\.\PHYSICALDRIVE` in PowerShell. For other USB devices, install and use `usbipd-win` to bind and attach the device to WSL. Both methods require administrative privileges.
Why mount a USB in WSL?
Mounting a drive lets you share files between Windows folders and Linux apps for faster project workflows. You can also access raw disk data or specific USB hardware directly within your Linux distribution.
What happens when done?
After you follow these steps, your USB drive appears as a folder inside your Linux environment, letting you read and write files just like any other folder.
Understanding WSL 2 Disk Mounting vs. USBIPD
WSL 2 disk mounting vs USBIPD comes down to what hardware you are connecting and how you want to use it. Direct disk mounting attaches external storage drives straight to your Linux environment, while USBIPD shares other USB hardware over a network so WSL 2 can see it. Pick disk mounting if you want to read files from a flash drive, and use USBIPD for devices like security keys or webcams.
Method 1Mounting Storage Drives with wsl –mount
To mount USB drives WSL users need to use the built-in wsl –mount command in an administrator PowerShell window. This process lets you plug a physical flash drive or external hard drive into your Windows computer and access all of its files directly from your Linux distribution without needing extra software or complicated network setups.
- Open PowerShell as Administrator.
- Identify your disk path by running:
wsl --list --disk - Mount the disk using the path found (e.g., \\.\PHYSICALDRIVE1):
wsl --mount \\.\PHYSICALDRIVE1 --partition 1
Method 2Using USBIPD for USB Passthrough
For devices that aren't storage, like cameras or security keys, you need to use USBIPD for USB passthrough in WSL.
- Install the usbipd-win installer on Windows.
- In PowerShell, list devices:
usbipd list - Bind the device:
usbipd bind --busid 1-1(Requires Admin) - Attach to WSL:
usbipd attach --wsl --busid 1-1
Troubleshooting and Permissions
If your drive does not appear, confirm you run Windows 11 build 22000 or higher. Check that your user account has permission to access the mount point. If you receive a permission error, use sudo before your mount commands.
Summary
- Use
wsl --mountfor storage drives like USB sticks. - Use
usbipd-winfor non-storage USB devices like cameras. - Always unmount or detach devices before physically unplugging them to prevent data corruption.
- WSL 2 is required for all hardware passthrough features.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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