How to Mount Linux File System on Windows 11 via WSL

This article explains how to mount your Linux file system on Windows 11 using wsl/" class="sal-link" rel="noopener" target="_blank" data-sal-id="5547">Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

Why use WSL to mount Linux drives?

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) lets you run Linux tools directly in Windows. By mounting your Linux drives, you can move files between Windows and Linux without needing to restart your computer or use a virtual machine. This is perfect for dual-boot users who want to access their Linux data while working in Windows.

What happens when you are done?

Once you finish these steps, your Linux drive will appear inside your Windows environment. You will be able to read and write files on that drive using your favorite Windows apps or the File Explorer.

Mount Linux file system on Windows WSL

First, make sure your WSL kernel is up to date to support the latest file system drivers. Open PowerShell as an administrator and run this command:

wsl --update

To see your connected drives, run this command in PowerShell:

Get-PhysicalDisk | Select-Object FriendlyName, DeviceId, Size

Look for the DeviceId of the drive you want to mount (for example, \\.\PHYSICALDRIVE1).

To mount the entire physical drive, use this command:

wsl --mount \\.\PHYSICALDRIVE1

If you prefer to mount a specific partition, add the partition number:

wsl --mount \\.\PHYSICALDRIVE1 --partition 1

Note: If you are working with a virtual hard disk file instead of a physical drive, you can mount it directly using: wsl --mount --vhd <PathToVHD>.

Unmount the Linux file system

When you are finished, it is important to safely disconnect the drive. Run this command in PowerShell:

wsl --unmount \\.\PHYSICALDRIVE1

Access the Linux file system in Windows File Explorer

Once the drive is mounted, you can view your files easily. Open File Explorer and look for the Linux node in the left navigation pane. Alternatively, you can type the following path into the address bar:

\\wsl$\<DistroName>\mnt

That is all there is to it! You can now drag and drop files between your Windows folders and your Linux file system. If you run into any issues, File Explorer is a great place to check for more details on how WSL handles file systems.