How to Uninstall Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) in Windows 11

This guide explains how to remove the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) from your computer.

Why remove WSL?

You may want to remove WSL if you no longer need to run Linux tools on your PC, or if you want to free up storage space. Removing it clears out the Linux environment and any files associated with it.

What happens when done?

Once finished, your computer will no longer be able to run Linux apps or commands. All your Linux-based files will be deleted.

Note: You must be signed in as an administrator to perform these steps.

Option One

Uninstall via Settings

This method is available in newer versions of Windows 11. If you do not see these options, use Option Two.

1. Open Settings (press Win+I).
2. Click System on the left, then click Advanced on the right.  Open Advanced settings

3. Click on Virtual Workspaces.

4. Turn off Windows Subsystem for Linux.

5. Click Yes if the User Account Control (UAC) window appears (Admin privileges required).
6. Close Settings once the process completes.

Option Two

Manual Uninstall

Follow these steps to remove Linux distributions and the WSL feature manually.

1. Open the Start menu. Start menu
2. Click the All apps button.
3. Uninstall your Linux distributions:

• Open File Explorer (Win+E) and click Linux in the side panel to see your installed versions.
• Right-click your Linux distro (e.g., “Ubuntu”).
• Select Uninstall and confirm.

4. Uninstall the Windows Subsystem for Linux app:
   • Right-click the Windows Subsystem for Linux app in your app list.
   • Select Uninstall and confirm.

5. Press Win+R, type OptionalFeatures.exe, and press Enter.
6. Uncheck Windows Subsystem for Linux and click OK (Admin privileges required).

7. Click Restart now to finish the removal.

Summary

Removing WSL is a simple process that involves deleting your Linux apps and turning off the Windows feature in the settings menu. By following these steps, you can fully clean up the WSL environment from your system and reclaim your disk space.