WSL

 Name                      Last modified      Size  Description
 Parent Directory                               -   
 2.3.11/                   2024-07-19 22:33    -   
 bashrc                    2023-09-13 10:36  1.0K  
 cuda/                     2022-01-22 23:39    -   
 distrod/                  2021-11-08 10:13    -   
 distros/                  2024-04-23 12:46    -   
 Fix/                      2023-03-13 21:04    -   
 guest-etc-resolv-conf.txt 2021-12-04 11:13   19   
 guest-etc-wsl-conf.txt    2021-12-04 11:12   37   
 INSTALL/                  2024-04-23 12:50    -   
 install/                  2023-02-13 21:56    -   
 perf/                     2021-12-08 22:19    -   
 rhel-too/                 2024-11-20 17:06    -   
 rhel-yes/                 2024-11-20 17:08    -   
 static-ip/                2022-01-16 11:54    -   
 to2/                      2023-11-20 00:00    -   
 user/                     2023-08-24 18:07    -   
 wslg/                     2022-01-04 14:38    -   

First time install

(Turn Windows Features on or off) → check [X] Windows Subsystem for Linux

(reboot)

(Microsoft Store)
search "Ubuntu 24.04 LTS"
click "Get" (downloads 341 MB)
click "Open" (starts installer, choose username etc...)

(Start Menu)
→ Ubuntu...

(Alacritty terminal + PowerShell)
wsl ~

(as user in Ubuntu, upgrade guest)
sudo -i
apt update && apt -y full-upgrade && apt autoremove && apt clean


compact vdisk (if wsl2, in wsl1 you have shared files)

https://stephenreescarter.net/how-to-shrink-a-wsl2-virtual-disk/

find your disto name, in user PowerShell

  wsl --list --all --verbose

shut it down, e.g.

  wsl -t Ubuntu-24.04

find your file image, e.g. for Ubuntu C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Packages\CanonicalGroupLimited.Ubuntu24.04LTS_79rhkp1fndgsc\LocalState\ext4.vhdx

  diskpart

  select vdisk file='C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Packages\CanonicalGroupLimited.Ubuntu24.04LTS_79rhkp1fndgsc\LocalState\ext4.vhdx'
      or e.g. ...TheDebianProject.DebianGNULinux_...

  compact vdisk

  (wait)

  exit


Ubuntu 2310 -> 2404

Stop and uninstall old

wsl -t Ubuntu

wsl --unregister Ubuntu

Install new

wsl --install -d Ubuntu-24.04


Disable WSL2 swap (e.g. on crypted disks if no shortage of memory)

notepad $env:userprofile\.wslconfig
--
[wsl2]
swap=0

wsl -l -v   # decide or know do you need VERSION 1 or 2

wsl --set-default-version 2

# sometimes
wsl --update
wsl --shutdown

GUI apps

Convert old guest to use wsl VERSION 2

  wsl --shutdown
  wsl --update
  wsl --set-default-version 2
  wsl -l -v                   # see distro name, e.g.
  wsl --set-version Debian 2  # wait for conversion
  wsl -l -v

in guest, 

$ uname -r
5.10.60.1-microsoft-standard-WSL2



Debian

# /etc/resolv.conf # snafu, maybe because of VPN of the host?
#
# remove symlink, make real file with row

nameserver 1.1.1.1


# /etc/wsl-conf

[network]
generateResolvConf = false


# to re-run /init ( no systemd :) from outside
wsl.exe --shutdown
wsl.exe -l -v

apt install ca-certificates
apt update && apt -y full-upgrade && apt -y autoremove && apt autoclean && apt clean cache

apt install bat git jq ksh mlocate openssh-client tig vim 

update-alternatives --config editor

# add /mnt to PRUNEPATHS in /etc/updatedb.conf, don't read windows files
updatedb

alias bat='batcat'


openSUSE-Tumbleweed

# cat: /etc/resolv.conf: No such file or directory # same dangling symlink
# same snafu as Debian, same host, same VPN...
# one shot quick fix:
rm /etc/resolv.conf && echo nameserver 1.1.1.1 > /etc/resolv.conf

# permanent fix as in Debian


zypper dup

zypper in bat git jq ksh mlocate tig



Paths, storage usage

  C:\Users\...\AppData\Local\Packages

  /mnt/c/Users/.../AppData/Local/Packages

fresh default installs with full updates + packages above:

- Debian 820 MB

- openSUSE Tumbleweed 990 MB

in Packages folder also see [distroname]/LocalState/ext4.vhdx