Wsl/Service/CreateInstance/ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND

[frankli-dev]

Version

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.22622.450]

WSL Version

• WSL 2
• WSL 1

Kernel Version

Ubuntu

Distro Version

Ubuntu

Other Software

None

Repro Steps

1. Install wsl default distro
2. Uninstall wsl
3. Reinstall wsl
4. Restart OS and open Ubuntu WSL
5. I get the following error

...
Wsl/Service/CreateInstance/ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND

Expected Behavior

I want to see running Ubuntu WSL

Actual Behavior

Wsl/Service/CreateInstance/ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND

Diagnostic Logs

None

[asgharmughal]

Try:
wsl --unregister Ubuntu-22.04

[monax90210]

Try: wsl --unregister Ubuntu-22.04

Thank you so much for your answer!!You're the Best!
Also helped with kali-linux.

[xw-wandy]

Ohhh thanks man, you are a savior.

[aHyperGG]

Worked for me! Just had to remove the version number, thank you so much!

[MaherAbdelkhalekPTB]

I have a 2 years old project work there, will the unregistring delete the Unbunty distrubution?

[PolarBean]

This appears to delete all data from wsl. Something which should be mentioned.

[pmfs1]

Try: wsl --unregister Ubuntu-22.04

Using: wsl --unregister Ubuntu fixed my problem. It runs perfectly now.
Thank you very much for the help.

[svenskanda]

wsl --unregister Debian the same

[Biswa96]

Try to uninstall the WSL Preview completely and then re-install from Windows Store.

[LeonLespri]

Thanks!👍

[Smallthing]

me too.can this problem have a backend fix , I saw you make a beautiful Setup UI for UbuntuWSL
but many people have this issues. they even can't start the setup

[shubbu002]

It worked wonder Thanks!

[iwanglei1]

Thanks!

[burak-yldrm]

Version

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.22622.450]

WSL Version

• WSL 2
• WSL 1

Kernel Version

Ubuntu

Distro Version

Ubuntu

Other Software

None

Repro Steps

1. Install wsl default distro
2. Uninstall wsl
3. Reinstall wsl
4. Restart OS and open Ubuntu WSL
5. I get the following error

...
Wsl/Service/CreateInstance/ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND

Expected Behavior

I want to see running Ubuntu WSL

Actual Behavior

Wsl/Service/CreateInstance/ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND

Diagnostic Logs

None

It's best to:
After typing "wsl --list --all", find out the version (or name) of the wsl you are using.

Then you will have to type "wsl --unregister (version)"

Write the version (or name) without parentheses!

[0xchoudhary]

It's Works 👍

[Muram1602]

Hello all,

The command wsl --unregister (version)

Will it remove all the old data ?

In my case, I reinstalled the opensusu tumbleweed software from Microsoft store and I got the same error.
Its a 3 month project data and we don't want to loose it.

We need to mount the old files safely and the opensusu software work fine.

Is there any way to take backup before following unregister command ?

Thanks,
Muthu Raman

[mohitthakur9901]

I am really happy that I found this suggestion and My problem is solved now I was stuck in this problem from morning

[tettolizer]

wsl --unregister ubuntu-22.04 worked for me

[busrasi]

Hello everybody,

Today, I got the same error, when I installed Docker Desktop. I just updated my pc to Windows 11.

For Solution:

I installed Ubuntu from Windows Store.
I restarted computer.
I executed WSL from applications like image, below:

Hope it works for you too!

Best Regards,
Busra Sirin

[Mahdi-Shad]

I did one more step after unregistering and installing the wsl. The last step fixed this issue Failed to attach disk '<HOME>\AppData\Local\Docker\wsl\main\ext4.vhdx' to WSL2: The system cannot find the file specified.
The steps that I did:

1. wsl --unregister ubuntu
2. wsl --install
3. Restart machine
4. Run Docker Desktop --> click troubleshoot on the top right corner--> click Clear/Purge data
5. Restart machine