arrow_back Install Windows Subsystem for Linux on a Non-System Drive

access_time 2 years ago link more_vert
#1508 Re: Install Windows Subsystem for Linux on a Non-System Drive
Although it has been a while since OPs comment, will be leaving this reply here to help out any future visitors.

This is because the article is outdated, and uses WSL1. Your Ubuntu 18.04 is probably installed with WSL2, which uses Virtual Hard Disk (.vhdx) to store your Linux files. Afaik, the way to install your WSL2 on a non system drive is to first install it on C: drive by default, then to export it to a tar file using 

wsl.exe --export <DistributionName> <FileName>

This will generate a tarball of your WSL distribution (It might take a while depending on .vhdx file size). After that, you can import that distribution to any other location, including a non-system drive, like so:

wsl.exe --import <DistributionName> <InstallLocation> <FileName>
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person Michael access_time 2 years ago
Re: Install Windows Subsystem for Linux on a Non-System Drive

I have Ubuntu 18.04 installed and have it set as my default with wsl.  I do not have the rootfs after installing it.  What I have is

is the ext4.vhdx what the rootfs actually is?

I appreciate your help and the rest of everything that you posted was great.  I just want to see what I messed up.  XD

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