wsl --list is not a command

[shogerr]

As the topic states: wsl --list is not a command.

Use wslconfig /l instead.

PS C:\> wsl --list
Invalid command line option: --list
Usage: wsl.exe [option] ...
Options:
    -d, --distribution <DistributionName>
        Launch the specified distribition.

    -e, --exec <CommandLine>
        Execute the specified Linux command. The remainder of the arguments are
        used as the command line to execute.

    -u, --user <UserName>
        Run as the specified user.

    --help
        Display this usage information.

    --
        Stop parsing arguments and pass the remainder to the Linux process.

[craigloewen-msft]

Hi @shogerr !

What version of Windows are you running? To find this, if you open up cmd.exe and type in ver what's the output?

[therealkenc]

Since the output was pasted in the OP, whatever winver, it is demonstrably a pre-18305 wsl.exe. So, same by-design closure regardless of the specifics (let's say it is 17763 for sport).

[As an aside, both wsl.exe and /init lack a --version CLI param. Not exactly a showstopping gap in functionality, but it's a longstanding convention.]

[Biswa96]

Speaking of CLI params, do we need wslconfig.exe now? Because wslconfig.exe params are same as wsl.exe.

[benhillis]

Nope it will be depreciated eventually.

[SharakPL]

Could someone explain why was this closed and labeled bydesign? Is it Microsoft's intention to use command wsl -l or wsl --list all over the docs and then block it completely in final product? Does this have something to do with switching default console terminal from bash to zsh? Should I import all rules from .bashrc to .zshrc for this to work properly?

E: nevermind. I've found out it's for next windows release which I didn't get yet

[Nakilon]

Is it Microsoft's intention to use command wsl -l or wsl --list all over the docs and then block it completely in final product?

Yes, this is absolutely lame. The commands are in the "How to install WSL" https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install and they just don't work. Such a Windows experience.

wslconfig /l doesn't work either.

How to make it work?! How to list my WSL instances?
Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.19042.1645]

[Nakilon]

It needs a reboot. Why isn't it written in docs?

[realyukii]

@Nakilon I tried to reboot but it still not work, it didn't print any error though, just print the help message instead of list something