Installing WSL on a restricted Windows 10

[audetto]

At work, we live in a very restricted Windows 10 environment (19042.2728).

Basically no executables are allowed other than a limited set of folders.
Let's say c:\dev is one of them.

If I try to update wsl via wsl --update --web-download it will install it under my c:\users\name folder which is restricted.

Can I tell wsl to install elsewhere?

[audetto]

If I simply unzip the content of the released code from github, I get

"This process has no package identity"

[Biswa96]

Let's say c:\dev is one of them.
If I simply unzip the content of the released code from github

It is possible to install WSL from the GitHub release page in any directory. But it requires administrative permission. The WSL package register a WSLService which requires that higher level of permission. Without admin permission, the Add-AppxPackage command shows error like following.

add-appxpackage : Deployment failed with HRESULT: 0x80073CF6, Package could not be registered.
AppxManifest.xml(51,12): error 0x80073D28: Cannot register the MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForLinux_1.2.3.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe package. Administrator privileges required to install packaged service

[audetto]

Perfect

1. do you mind telling me how to specify the destination folder
2. and if things go wrong, how can I remove it (and continue to use the old non-uipdated version which is in c:\windows\system32) (I do not want to lock myself out of it completely and you can imagine the level of tech support I can get on this highly non-standard thing)

[audetto]

I don't think 1 is that easy:

See https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windowsserver/en-US/cdcffc5f-ad01-431c-a767-9acef8aaace9/question-on-addappxpackage-powershell-command?forum=winserverpowershell

or

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/52919268/edit-installation-path

Can I register a WSLService from the unzip folder manually?

[Biswa96]

At work, we live in a very restricted Windows 10 environment (19042.2728).

You should ask someone to get the permission to install programs.

do you mind telling me how to specify the destination folder

⚠️ Disclaimer: The following procedure is used for testing packages and should not be used for daily usage. The procedure cancels out the security measure provided by the Appx packaging.

1. Download the msixbundle package from release page (https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases).
2. Unzip it with any tool like 7zip, unzip etc. For example, Microsoft.WSL_1.2.3.0_x64_ARM64.msixbundle --> Microsoft.WSL_1.2.3.0_x64.msix.
3. Extract that msix file again with same tool in a directory. For example, Microsoft.WSL_1.2.3.0_x64.msix -> C:\WSL.
4. Register the package using Powershell as administrator. For example, Add-AppxPackage -register C:\WSL\AppxManifest.xml

[audetto]

4. Register the package using Powershell as administrator. For example, `Add-AppxPackage -register C:\WSL\AppxManifest.xml`

I am afraid it has not been possible

PS C:\Windows\System32> Add-AppxPackage -register C:\dev\wsl\AppxManifest.xml
Add-AppxPackage : Deployment failed with HRESULT: 0x80073CFF, To install this application you need either a Windows
developer license or a sideloading-enabled system.
Deployment of package MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForLinux_1.1.3.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe with package origin
Developer Signed failed because no valid license or sideloading policy could be applied. A developer license
(http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=233074) or enterprise sideloading configuration
(http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=231020) may be required.
NOTE: For additional information, look for [ActivityId] c320be0d-8673-0008-9c7d-27c37386d901 in the Event Log or use
the command line Get-AppPackageLog -ActivityID c320be0d-8673-0008-9c7d-27c37386d901
At line:1 char:1
+ Add-AppxPackage -register C:\dev\wsl\AppxManifest.xml
+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    + CategoryInfo          : NotSpecified: (C:\dev\wsl\AppxManifest.xml:String) [Add-AppxPackage], Exception
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : DeploymentError,Microsoft.Windows.Appx.PackageManager.Commands.AddAppxPackageCommand

Is there anything else I could try?

[Biswa96]

I am not sure if there is any restriction in your system. You could try to enable developer mode as explained here https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/get-started/developer-mode-features-and-debugging

[audetto]

Unfortunately we have tons of restrictions & Developer Mode is already enabled.

[Biswa96]

Then you should ask the person or team who manages the system. Circumventing those rules may be illegal.

[audetto]

Thank you

You should ask someone to get the permission to install programs.

There are 10 layers of contractors between me and the someone. Unfortunately, management does not understand the value of wsl.

[audetto]

One more question:

Add-AppxPackage -register C:\WSL\AppxManifest.xml

What are the side effects of this?

• Does this interact with a previous installation of WSL?
• Can it be undone?
• Will it affect the existing non-packaged original wsl installation?