Command "wsl --set-default-version 2" doesn't change version of WSL

[adanribeiro]

Environment

Microsoft Windows [10.0.19042.746]
Windows 10 Pro, 20H2
Experience: Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.551.0

Copy of the terminal output

On my Windows Terminal I type:
wsl -l
Distribuições do Subsistema do Windows para Linux:
Ubuntu (Padrão)
Ubuntu-20.04

Then, after run wsl --set-default-version 2 I get:
Para obter informações sobre as principais diferenças em relação ao WSL 2, visite https://aka.ms/wsl2

What translated from pt-br mean "To get info about main differences relation to WSL 2, visit https://aka.ms/wsl2". But, unfortunelly, the default version keep on version_number 1.

What possibly be wrong?

[therealkenc]

But, unfortunelly, the default version keep on version_number 1.

Your default version is now 2. You can change the version of an already installed distro with --set-version not --set-default-version.

[adanribeiro]

OK, but when I run "wsl -l" it shows me that version "Ubuntu" is default (see the word "Padrão" on command output below).

Ubuntu (Padrão)
Ubuntu-20.04

Also, on this MS tutorial here they said on Step 5 to use wsl --set-default-version 2 to DEFINE the default version.

So it got a little complicated.

How can I confirm what version my system is running now or , at least, uninstall the version 1?

[therealkenc]

There is no version "the system" is running. Each of your installed distributions is either WSL1 or WSL2 independently, by-design. Both version 1 and 2 are always available; you don't "uninstall" WSL 1. You can get which version a given distribution is with wsl.exe -l -v. You can also find out your version from inside WSL with cat /proc/version. WSL1 will have a capitalized 'M' on 'Microsoft'.

On recent builds (possibly not yours) you can query the default version with wsl.exe --status. Looks like:

Querying is a little bit superfluous. If you are ever unsure of your default, you can use --set-default-version, and then you know.

Perhaps the documentation could be improved to state explicitly that --set-default-version has no effect on existing distributions. Doc suggestions (or even better PRs) always welcome.

[adanribeiro]

When I run wsl.exe -l -v the output is:

  NAME            STATE           VERSION

* Ubuntu          Running         1
  Ubuntu-20.04    Stopped         2

What does it means?

[therealkenc]

It means your 'Ubuntu' distribution is on WSL version 1, and your 'Ubuntu-20.04' distribution is on WSL version 2. You can enter one or the other with wsl.exe -d Ubuntu and wsl.exe -d Ubuntu-20.04.

[JennEYoon]

Had this exact problem. Thanks.

[MarvinXu]

Each of your installed distributions is either WSL1 or WSL2 independently, by-design. Both version 1 and 2 are always available; you don't "uninstall" WSL 1. You can get which version a given distribution is with wsl.exe -l -v

Thank you for explaining! Very helpful! I'll add "You can change your distro's WSL version by wsl --set-version <distribution name> <versionNumber>"

[mateuszdrab]

I have an issue where wsl --set-default-version 2 simply ignores my input and returns the help text, the same happens when trying to convert a specific distro to version 2.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>wsl --set-default-version 2
Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Usage: wsl.exe [Argument] [Options...] [CommandLine]

Arguments for running Linux binaries:
...

Build 21390, WSL reinstalled from scratch using wsl --install, latest kernel, there's nothing much that I can update.

Anyone experienced such issue?

[isCopyman]

same problem fuxx

[xaxnow]

wsl.exe --set-version Ubuntu-22.04 2 works for me.

[isCopyman]

same problem fuxx

Windows server 2016 and 2019 don't support wsl2 which causes invalid arguments

[pucoenraadmiddel]

I'm running Windows Server 2022 and have the same issue where wsl.exe --set-version Ubuntu-20.04 2 only returns the help text, not changing the version. I'm also not able to set the default to 2 before installing with the same behviour.

Edition Windows Server 2022 Standard
Version 21H2
Installed on ‎2023/‎02/‎19
OS build 20348.169

[mateuszdrab]

Is there an issue raised for this? If not, we need to raise one otherwise this will never get fixed/looked into.
I've experienced this myself long time ago, but it never got fixed until I eventually rebuilt the affected host.
I think the problem is actually distro instance specific.
@pucoenraadmiddel could you try installing another distro and try changing its version?

[pucoenraadmiddel]

Hi Mateusz, Mine was an issue relating to a fresh install and the version of Windows Server 2022. When I updated it to the latest version it worked. Check your version maybe? From: Mateusz Drab ***@***.***> Sent: Monday, February 20, 2023 3:43 PM To: microsoft/WSL ***@***.***> Cc: Coenraad Middel ***@***.***>; Comment ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [microsoft/WSL] Command "wsl --set-default-version 2" doesn't change version of WSL (Discussion #6505) Is there an issue raised for this? If not, we need to raise one otherwise this will never get fixed/looked into. - Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<#6505 (reply in thread)>, or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ATVPLTAZC4DBNOBBDQFZY7DWYNYHHANCNFSM4W5J3BZQ>. You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: ***@***.******@***.***>>