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Managing multiple WSL distros

Install and switch between several Linux distributions side by side under WSL2 -- useful for testing across distros, or keeping a clean distro per project without them interfering with each other.

Target: Windows 11 (or Windows 10 2004+)DevelopmentOfficial homepage ↗Official docs ↗
This guide is synthesized from Managing multiple WSL distros's own official documentation, linked above — always cross-check exact package/version names there before running these commands on a production server, since distro and project versions move over time.

  1. 1List distros available to install

    wsl --list --online

  2. 2Install additional distros

    wsl --install -d Debian
    wsl --install -d kali-linux

    Each installs as a fully separate environment -- files, packages, and configuration in one distro never affect another.

  3. 3List installed distros and set a default

    Plain `wsl` with no arguments launches whichever distro is set as default.

    wsl --list --verbose
    wsl --set-default Ubuntu

  4. 4Launch a specific distro directly

    wsl -d Debian

  5. 5Remove a distro you no longer need

    wsl --unregister kali-linux

    This permanently deletes that distro's entire filesystem -- back up anything inside it first.