WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x8000000d An illegal state change was requested. #4084

ghost · 2019-06-05T22:54:12Z

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Please fill out the below information:

Your Windows build number: (Type ver at a Windows Command Prompt)

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.18362.145]

What you're doing and what's happening: (Copy&paste the full set of specific command-line steps necessary to reproduce the behavior, and their output. Include screen shots if that helps demonstrate the problem.)

I enabled the Windows Subsystem for Linux feature, rebooted, and then installed Ubuntu from the Microsoft Store. Upon launching Ubuntu, the following error message appeared:

Installing, this may take a few minutes...
WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x8000000d
Error: 0x8000000d An illegal state change was requested.

I tried running wsl from a command prompt and it claimed no distribution was installed:

Windows Subsystem for Linux has no installed distributions.
Distributions can be installed by visiting the Microsoft Store:
https://aka.ms/wslstore

What's wrong / what should be happening instead:

Ubuntu should have started successfully.

Strace of the failing command, if applicable: (If some_command is failing, then run strace -o some_command.strace -f some_command some_args, and link the contents of some_command.strace in a gist here).

N/A

For WSL launch issues, please collect detailed logs.

See our contributing instructions for assistance.

The text was updated successfully, but these errors were encountered:

EdManDev · 2019-06-06T13:13:27Z

i got the same problem

craigloewen-msft · 2019-06-06T16:37:24Z

If you uninstall the Ubuntu app and then reinstall it do you get the same error?

And if you do, you can always try and verify and repair your disk image by running the following command in a command prompt window with admin privileges:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

If neither of those solutions work for you let me know and we can troubleshoot further!

benhillis · 2019-06-06T16:54:26Z

Is it possible that you launched the Ubuntu application twice? Can you share the output of wslconfig.exe /list /all?

geev-gv · 2019-06-12T08:14:42Z

passwd: password updated successfully Installation successful! To run a command as administrator (user "root"), use "sudo <command>". See "man sudo_root" for details.
Solution to the same problem on WoA10-1803 (on a Raspberry Pi3).
Uninstall 'Ubuntu 18.04', install Ubuntu App and then install Ubuntu 18.04. With the clock speed at 1.2GHz, WsL is now faster too...

geev-gv · 2019-06-12T08:35:51Z

The repository 'http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports bionic-backports InRelease' is not signed. N: Updating from such a repository can't be done securely, and is therefore disabled by default. N: See apt-secure(8) manpage for repository creation and user configuration details. W: An error occurred during the signature verification. The repository is not updated and the previous index files will be used. GPG error: http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports bionic-security InRelease: Unknown error executing apt-key
How can one resolve this error?

craigloewen-msft · 2019-06-12T17:23:24Z

Hi @gee-gv please open a separate issue for the error you're experiencing above with some reproducible steps so we can take a look at it!

seekerlee · 2019-08-04T15:29:52Z

`Installing, this may take a few minutes...
WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x8000000d
Error: 0x8000000d ???????????

Press any key to continue...`

my issue

after reboot it resolved

minorcong · 2019-08-17T01:48:47Z

Is it possible that you launched the Ubuntu application twice? Can you share the output of wslconfig.exe /list /all?

maybe my problem is caused by this, then, how to clean the ubuntu in the first installation

wslconfig.exe /l /a
适用于 Linux 的 Windows 子系统:
Ubuntu-18.04

minorcong · 2019-08-17T01:55:42Z

Is it possible that you launched the Ubuntu application twice? Can you share the output of wslconfig.exe /list /all?

maybe my problem is caused by this, then, how to clean the ubuntu in the first installation

wslconfig.exe /l /a
适用于 Linux 的 Windows 子系统:
Ubuntu-18.04

it's resolved now, maybe wslconfig /t

craigloewen-msft · 2019-08-19T17:24:20Z

@minorcong depending on your Windows version (works in 18362 and higher) you can run this command to remove a distribution easily:

wsl --unregister <Distroname>

If you're running a build that's earlier than 18362 you can use wslconfig /u <DistroName>

bhill-17 · 2020-03-12T13:00:03Z

I've uninstalled and reinstalled the Ubuntu 16.04 app and rebooted my computer but I keep getting the same error when trying to run it. And I only have one application running. So what do I try now?

oltip · 2020-03-13T14:27:24Z

I am facing the same issues after uninstalling Ubuntu 18.4 in Windows 10 and trying to re-install it.

I also tried to run all the commands suggested previously. But it doesn't work.

When I run this: PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> wslconfig.exe /list /all

I get this:

W i n d o w s S u b s y s t e m f o r L i n u x D i s t r i b u t i o n s :

U b u n t u

Any idea why I still run in this error:
Installing, this may take a few minutes...
WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x8000000d
Error: 0x8000000d An illegal state change was requested.

Press any key to continue...

mathgim · 2020-03-15T09:16:59Z

Same here!

hsellik · 2020-03-15T12:25:37Z

I also have the same issue for Ubuntu 18.04.

EDIT: Got it working
In my case, I updated Windows from 1903 to 1909.

I also ran "Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux" during the installation attempt, since I thought it is going to fail anyway, but it worked. Though, I still believe updating Windows was the solution for me.

oltip · 2020-03-15T16:01:06Z

I solved the initial issue (after updating the Windows version to 1909),
but I am running into a new one.

Ubuntu 18.04 gets stuck in Windows 10 (version 1909). It either fails to initiate, or consumes a lot of CPU and gets stuck. I have a pc, Asus, with Intel i5 (8th generation) and 8 GB of RAM.

I have been using Ubuntu for year and had not faced any problem at all up to 4-5 days ago.

Is anybody else running into a similar issues?
Just to understand if it is a general issues or has to do with my personal pc.

hsellik · 2020-03-15T22:49:26Z

@oltip

TL;DR

Search for "Turn Windows features on of off" from start menu
Enable "Virtual Machine Platform"
Restart
Hopefully this will solve it

Longer version:
I think it's experienced by quite some people, but there seems to be an accepted solution provided here #4936 (comment) .

The most interesting thing about this for me is the following response:

The Virtual Machine Platform feature should not affect WSL1 at all. Especially on 1903/1909 WSL should have no ties to that feature at all.

So the "fix" mentioned above is actually a workaround for now. I provided a memory dump for them so hopefully they can figure this out and fix it.

oltip · 2020-03-16T08:54:23Z

Wow. I have never seen such a precise and helpful reply, so first, let me thank you.

Even more importantly, the solution you proposed seems to work (I have been using Ubuntu for about half an hour).

Thank you so much @hsellik.

To anyone out there running into the same issues, @hsellik's suggestion will avoid you a lot of frustration. :)

rezaei · 2020-03-31T01:04:20Z

@oltip

TL;DR

Search for "Turn Windows features on of off" from start menu

Enable "Virtual Machine Platform"

Restart

Hopefully this will solve it

Longer version:
I think it's experienced by quite some people, but there seems to be an accepted solution provided here #4936 (comment) .

The most interesting thing about this for me is the following response:

The Virtual Machine Platform feature should not affect WSL1 at all. Especially on 1903/1909 WSL should have no ties to that feature at all.

So the "fix" mentioned above is actually a workaround for now. I provided a memory dump for them so hopefully they can figure this out and fix it.
@hsellik. it seams your suggestion working ... thank you so much

faydogan · 2020-08-29T19:08:19Z

@hsellik Thanks that worked for me to.

yousefra · 2020-12-01T10:49:27Z

I don't know what the problem was.
But for me, it's solved by running ubuntu terminal as administrator.

therealkenc · 2020-12-21T23:53:04Z

Please collect WSL logs and post the backlink to the feedback item here.

MBarnulf · 2021-02-07T18:47:43Z

hi, I am encountering the same issue with an arch based distro ( https://github.com/yuk7/ArchWSL )

E:\Arch>Arch.exe
Using: E:\Arch\rootfs.tar.gz
Installing...
ERROR:Installation Failed!
HRESULT:0x8000000d
Press any key to continue...

and when I want to list available distros:

E:\Arch>wsl -l
Le sous-système Windows pour Linux n'a pas de distributions installées.
Vous pouvez installer les distributions en visitant le Microsoft Store :
https://aka.ms/wslstore

french version of 'no distro installed'

tried :

updating windows
uninstall / reinstall WSL2 from the turn windows features on or off menu
install Virtual Machine Platform from the same menu
using wsl1
unregistering the distro, deleting files and downloading them again
(rebooting after each steps)

but nothing worked
( I am using windows 19041.746 )

EDIT:

the issue was that a failed installation of Debian messed up the windows registry, I had to manually clean it
now it works just fine

H-111-di · 2021-04-04T03:06:22Z

hi, I am encountering the same issue with an arch based distro ( https://github.com/yuk7/ArchWSL )
E:\Arch>Arch.exe
Using: E:\Arch\rootfs.tar.gz
Installing...
ERROR:Installation Failed!
HRESULT:0x8000000d
Press any key to continue...
and when I want to list available distros:
E:\Arch>wsl -l
Le sous-système Windows pour Linux n'a pas de distributions installées.
Vous pouvez installer les distributions en visitant le Microsoft Store :
https://aka.ms/wslstore
french version of 'no distro installed'

tried :

updating windows

uninstall / reinstall WSL2 from the turn windows features on or off menu

install Virtual Machine Platform from the same menu

using wsl1

unregistering the distro, deleting files and downloading them again

(rebooting after each steps)

but nothing worked
( I am using windows 19041.746 )

EDIT:

the issue was that a failed installation of Debian messed up the windows registry, I had to manually clean it
now it works just fine

how did you clean the registry? I have the same problem here... And I had tried all the methods above...

MrP-cpu · 2021-04-08T16:08:08Z

If you uninstall the Ubuntu app and then reinstall it do you get the same error?

And if you do, you can always try and verify and repair your disk image by running the following command in a command prompt window with admin privileges:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

If neither of those solutions work for you let me know and we can troubleshoot further!
not working sir

LyndonZhang · 2021-11-20T11:40:59Z

hi, I am encountering the same issue with an arch based distro ( https://github.com/yuk7/ArchWSL )
E:\Arch>Arch.exe
Using: E:\Arch\rootfs.tar.gz
Installing...
ERROR:Installation Failed!
HRESULT:0x8000000d
Press any key to continue...
and when I want to list available distros:
E:\Arch>wsl -l
Le sous-système Windows pour Linux n'a pas de distributions installées.
Vous pouvez installer les distributions en visitant le Microsoft Store :
https://aka.ms/wslstore
french version of 'no distro installed'
tried :

updating windows

uninstall / reinstall WSL2 from the turn windows features on or off menu

install Virtual Machine Platform from the same menu

using wsl1

unregistering the distro, deleting files and downloading them again

(rebooting after each steps)

but nothing worked
( I am using windows 19041.746 )

EDIT:

the issue was that a failed installation of Debian messed up the windows registry, I had to manually clean it
now it works just fine
how did you clean the registry? I have the same problem here... And I had tried all the methods above...

i try to search for something about "Ubuntu" in regedit then delete them manually, it worked!

tusharsnx · 2022-04-04T08:50:34Z

I got the same error after I installed the Ubuntu without turning on the required optional features in windows.
I fixed the issue by resetting the Ubuntu installation from app setting in windows settings.

BoseSj · 2022-08-23T18:35:30Z

When I faced this:

I unregistered the Ubuntu-20.04 using wsl --unregister Ubuntu-20.04 and then uninstalled it from windows apps, when I then installed it again using wsl --install Ubuntu-20.04, it was downloaded while it was installing, I faced this problem. Then I tried to check the available distros in my system using wsl -l but i didn't find it, just installed Ubuntu-20.04 there.

How it worked out for me:

I unregistered and uninstalled it again.
I restarted my device then.
Installed it again using pwsh.
It's running fine now.

megoRU · 2022-10-06T13:44:21Z

CMD wsl --install
CMD: wsl --install -d Ubuntu-20.04 //any of the list

Preview:

Result:

arjun-ms · 2022-10-14T01:46:06Z

USE:
wslconfig.exe /u ubuntu
Then open again!

Allancgx · 2022-11-03T02:14:42Z

Restarting the system fixed the issue for me. After restarting, I opened Ubuntu again and it continued the installation process and prompt username creation step

itz-ja5p3r · 2022-11-27T04:15:24Z

Finally i have found the best solution... Sorted 2 solution those who need help dm🧞‍♂✨

itz-ja5p3r · 2022-11-27T04:50:13Z

✅1000000% working
For every error✅💯
⚠️Follow my step carefully
1.Control panel → Program & features →🛡Turn windows features on or off → Now disable virtual machine platform, hypervisor platform, windows subsystem for linux →Ok →Restart now
2.uninstall Distro (kali,ubuntu,debian......),windows subsystem for linux update from 🛡uninstallor change a program
3.Now install kali from Microsoft store → Launch →Read the error msg in kali terminal it ask to enable subsystem platform
→Control panel → Program & features →🛡Turn windows features on or off → Now enable subsystem platform only → ok → Restart now
4.Again open kali terminal →Notice an another error ask to enable virtaul machine platform
→Control panel → Program & features →🛡Turn windows features on or off → Now enable virtual machine platform → Ok → Restart now
5.Open kali terminal →New error request to update wsl2 kernel
→Install it https://wslstorestorage.blob.core.windows.net/wslblob/wsl_update_x64.msi
6.Now close and Open the kali terminal wait for a long
Request to create username:💯💯💯💯💯

HobaiRiku · 2022-12-01T02:17:20Z

✅1000000% working
For every error✅💯
⚠️Follow my step carefully
1.Control panel → Program & features →🛡Turn windows features on or off → Now disable virtual machine platform, hypervisor platform, windows subsystem for linux →Ok →Restart now
2.uninstall Distro (kali,ubuntu,debian......),windows subsystem for linux update from 🛡uninstallor change a program
3.Now install kali from Microsoft store → Launch →Read the error msg in kali terminal it ask to enable subsystem platform
→Control panel → Program & features →🛡Turn windows features on or off → Now enable subsystem platform only → ok → Restart now
4.Again open kali terminal →Notice an another error ask to enable virtaul machine platform
→Control panel → Program & features →🛡Turn windows features on or off → Now enable virtual machine platform → Ok → Restart now
5.Open kali terminal →New error request to update wsl2 kernel
→Install it https://wslstorestorage.blob.core.windows.net/wslblob/wsl_update_x64.msi
6.Now close and Open the kali terminal wait for a long
Request to create username:💯💯💯💯💯

Some how, when i run into step 4, it keep show 0x8000000d ???????, then i do all the rest and

wsl --unregister Ubuntu
wsl --install Ubuntu

done!

itz-ja5p3r · 2022-12-01T02:26:38Z

✅1000000% working
For every error✅💯
⚠️Follow my step carefully
1.Control panel → Program & features →🛡Turn windows features on or off → Now disable virtual machine platform, hypervisor platform, windows subsystem for linux →Ok →Restart now
2.uninstall Distro (kali,ubuntu,debian......),windows subsystem for linux update from 🛡uninstallor change a program
3.Now install kali from Microsoft store → Launch →Read the error msg in kali terminal it ask to enable subsystem platform
→Control panel → Program & features →🛡Turn windows features on or off → Now enable subsystem platform only → ok → Restart now
4.Again open kali terminal →Notice an another error ask to enable virtaul machine platform
→Control panel → Program & features →🛡Turn windows features on or off → Now enable virtual machine platform → Ok → Restart now
5.Open kali terminal →New error request to update wsl2 kernel
→Install it https://wslstorestorage.blob.core.windows.net/wslblob/wsl_update_x64.msi
6.Now close and Open the kali terminal wait for a long
Request to create username:💯💯💯💯💯

Some how, when i run into step 4, it keep show 0x8000000d ???????, then i do all the rest and
wsl --unregister Ubuntu
wsl --install Ubuntu
done!

For me, --unregister command doesn't for kali wsl
So, i manually uninstalled wsl and reinstalled everything

Romuelson · 2023-02-20T20:01:08Z

Check in Windows Security -> App & Browser Control -> Exploit Protection Settings:

System Settings, Control Flow Guard (CFG): Use default (On)

Program Settings, there should be entries for:

C:\Windows\System32\vmcompute.exe
C:\Windows\System32\vmwp.exe

Both should have Control Flow Guard set to:

Override System Settings > On > Use Strict CFG

/* Enable Virtual Machine */
PowerShell: dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart

/* Enable Windows Subsystem for Linux */
PowerShell: dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

/* Install WSL v2 */
Download

/* Set Default Version */
PowerShell: wsl --set-default-version 2

PowerShell: wsl --unregister Ubuntu
PowerShell: wsl --install -d Ubuntu

DurvalPaicheco · 2023-05-17T20:33:09Z

USE: wslconfig.exe /u ubuntu Then open again!

Work for me. Thanks

HeriYantodotDev · 2023-07-16T16:28:28Z

USE: wslconfig.exe /u ubuntu Then open again!

I tried to install wsl 2 on my old laptop, and encountered the problem above.
Your solution above is best of the best!

ivanrusakov · 2023-08-21T15:50:14Z

wslconfig.exe /u ubuntu

works for me either! thanks!

Sanford284 · 2023-09-25T15:25:25Z

#9338 (comment) work for me

alexaQAi · 2023-10-19T15:47:49Z

wsl --install -d name of install system
For example: wsl --install -d ubuntu 22.31
After open not ubuntu, find on your pc and open UBUNTU TSL
Try this

hadoizz · 2023-11-02T12:40:13Z

this helped me to fix it just
wsl --list --all
wsl --unregister
then try kali it will work hope this helps

donaldafeith · 2023-12-06T03:53:31Z

For everyone who might have had the same problem that I did. It was docker using my WSL2. I uninstalled docker and it started working again. (You have to change the docker config so that it doesn't grab your WSL2 or else it acts funny like that.)

Coding4Hours · 2024-07-05T16:32:08Z

for me it was because my uninstall of kali-linux didn't finish

dalaosec · 2024-07-15T09:46:18Z

@minorcong depending on your Windows version (works in 18362 and higher) you can run this command to remove a distribution easily:

wsl --unregister <Distroname>

If you're running a build that's earlier than 18362 you can use wslconfig /u <DistroName>

great ，it worked for me

zhygit2020 · 2024-07-16T07:19:58Z

@minorcong depending on your Windows version (works in 18362 and higher) you can run this command to remove a distribution easily:

wsl --unregister <Distroname>

If you're running a build that's earlier than 18362 you can use wslconfig /u <DistroName>

Thanks!

immmor · 2024-07-31T14:04:39Z

USE: wslconfig.exe /u ubuntu Then open again!
Got a new error: Error code: WslConfig/Service/WSL_E_DISTRO_NOT_FOUND

gaoqiangks · 2024-09-14T19:00:05Z

With wsl --install Ubuntu-24.04, I got the same problem. However, wsl --install Ubuntu-24.04 --web-download works well.

AaronZLT · 2024-11-13T04:24:27Z

Microsoft is shit

craigloewen-msft · 2025-01-14T22:39:27Z

Hi folks this issue is quite old, and we have made lots of improvements in this area, so I'm closing this out for bookkeeping issues. If you're still seeing this issue please file a new issue so we can take a look. Thank you!

ghost changed the title ~~WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x8000000d WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x8000000d An illegal state change was requested.~~ WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x8000000d An illegal state change was requested. Jun 5, 2019

craigloewen-msft added the needs-author-feedback label Jun 12, 2019

craigloewen-msft added no-recent-activity and removed needs-author-feedback labels Aug 7, 2019

therealkenc removed the no-recent-activity label Dec 21, 2020

therealkenc mentioned this issue Dec 21, 2020

Kali Linux does not want run #6360

Closed

therealkenc added the failure-to-launch failure to launch label Apr 5, 2021

escape0707 mentioned this issue May 3, 2021

Cannot install ArchWSL yuk7/ArchWSL#40

Closed

craigloewen-msft mentioned this issue Jan 26, 2022

**ANYTHING** I install on wsl it **keeps** Installing #7975

Closed

2 tasks

leonardofel mentioned this issue Mar 10, 2023

WSL2 terminal won't start #5912

Closed

craigloewen-msft closed this as completed Jan 14, 2025

WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x8000000d An illegal state change was requested. #4084

WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x8000000d An illegal state change was requested. #4084

Comments

ghost commented Jun 5, 2019

EdManDev commented Jun 6, 2019

craigloewen-msft commented Jun 6, 2019

benhillis commented Jun 6, 2019

geev-gv commented Jun 12, 2019

geev-gv commented Jun 12, 2019

craigloewen-msft commented Jun 12, 2019

seekerlee commented Aug 4, 2019 • edited Loading

minorcong commented Aug 17, 2019

minorcong commented Aug 17, 2019

craigloewen-msft commented Aug 19, 2019

bhill-17 commented Mar 12, 2020

oltip commented Mar 13, 2020

mathgim commented Mar 15, 2020

hsellik commented Mar 15, 2020 • edited Loading

oltip commented Mar 15, 2020 • edited Loading

hsellik commented Mar 15, 2020 • edited Loading

oltip commented Mar 16, 2020

rezaei commented Mar 31, 2020

faydogan commented Aug 29, 2020

yousefra commented Dec 1, 2020

therealkenc commented Dec 21, 2020

MBarnulf commented Feb 7, 2021 • edited Loading

EDIT:

H-111-di commented Apr 4, 2021 • edited Loading

EDIT:

MrP-cpu commented Apr 8, 2021

LyndonZhang commented Nov 20, 2021

EDIT:

tusharsnx commented Apr 4, 2022

BoseSj commented Aug 23, 2022

When I faced this:

How it worked out for me:

megoRU commented Oct 6, 2022

Preview:

Result:

arjun-ms commented Oct 14, 2022

Allancgx commented Nov 3, 2022

itz-ja5p3r commented Nov 27, 2022

itz-ja5p3r commented Nov 27, 2022

HobaiRiku commented Dec 1, 2022

itz-ja5p3r commented Dec 1, 2022

Romuelson commented Feb 20, 2023

DurvalPaicheco commented May 17, 2023

HeriYantodotDev commented Jul 16, 2023

ivanrusakov commented Aug 21, 2023

Sanford284 commented Sep 25, 2023

alexaQAi commented Oct 19, 2023

hadoizz commented Nov 2, 2023

donaldafeith commented Dec 6, 2023

Coding4Hours commented Jul 5, 2024

dalaosec commented Jul 15, 2024

zhygit2020 commented Jul 16, 2024

immmor commented Jul 31, 2024

gaoqiangks commented Sep 14, 2024

AaronZLT commented Nov 13, 2024

craigloewen-msft commented Jan 14, 2025

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