set version Ubuntu-20.04 No distribution with supplied name

[donnrri]

Hi

Environment:
Windows - 10.0.19041.0 Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.19041.0
Ubuntu - Ubuntu 20.04 LTS

I have installed WSL2

In powershell (running as admin) I set the default version of wsl
wsl --set-default-version 2

I then set wls -l -v
This tells me the Ubuntu version I have uses WSL 1

I then try wsl --set-version- Ubuntu-20.04 2

I get the error
'There is no distribution with the supplied name'

In my Ubuntu I use lsb_release -a to get the version it displays

Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
Release: 20.04
Codename: focal

So I thought my version was Ubuntu-20.04

Here is a screen shot of what happens

I looked at the Ubuntu version in the Settings -> Apps -> Apps and Features

This had the version as 2004.2020.424.0

However running wsl --set-version Ubuntu-2004.2020.424.0 2 resulted in the same error

[therealkenc]

In powershell (running as admin) I set the default version of wsl

#5428 as an initial matter. Do not run wsl.exe as Administrator.

The syntax above is incorrect. Docs are here. For your scenario, with distribution Ubuntu:

PS C:\> wsl.exe --set-version Ubuntu 2

[jusito]

To show a list of available targets use: wsl.exe -l -v.
For ubuntu 20.04 lts its ubuntu-20.04 instead of ubuntu and version is current wsl version.

[moneygrower]

this syntax solved my problem, thanks

[sajjad-salam]

There is no distribution with the supplied name.

[donnrri]

For anyone having this issue .

1. After setting wsl --set-default-version 2
2. Uninstall your Unbuntu
3. Install from the store again

[donnrri]

Thanks for your your response. I appreciate your quick response but I looked at the Doc page .
It quite cleary says

wsl --set-version <distribution name> <versionNumber>

So I don't see how my use of the command is incorrect. If it is can the Docs be updated to reflect the correct command please. If the Docs are correct please re-open this ticket.

[therealkenc]

So I don't see how my use of the command is incorrect.

Your first try was wsl --set-distribution ubuntu 20.04 2 which is incorrect because it has three parameters not two.

Your second try was wsl --set-distribution Ubuntu-20.04 2 which is incorrect because your distribution NAME is Ubuntu.

[dinaayoub]

Using "wsl --set-distribution ubuntu 2" worked for me. thanks @therealkenc.

[Jawad-Mufti]

Using "wsl --set-distribution ubuntu 2" worked for me. thanks @therealkenc.

Thank you!

[rcrapo]

I've tried the command "wsl --set-distribution ubuntu 2" as administrator (I've also tried it with "wsl.exe" and it didn't work) and it still gives me the response "There is no distribution with the supplied name."

I've followed the instructions listed here: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/wsl2-kernel

Does anyone have any ideas?

[therealkenc]

I've tried the command "wsl --set-distribution ubuntu 2"

It is --set-version not --set-distribution.

[adsk2050]

--set-version is also not working. I have tried:

• wsl.exe --set-version ubuntu 20.04 2
• wsl.exe --set-version Ubuntu 20.04 2
• wsl.exe --set-version ubuntu 2
• wsl.exe --set-version Ubuntu 2
• wsl.exe --set-version 'Ubuntu 20.04' 2
• wsl.exe --set-version 'Ubuntu 20.04 LTS' 2

[colorsu]

reinstall the wsl2 worked for me

[therealkenc]

wsl.exe -l -v will list your distribution names. "Ubuntu 20.04" is not a distribution name (Ubuntu-20.04 has a dash in the name). To the extent you have a distribution with the name Ubuntu (sic) listed with wsl.exe -l -v, and wsl --set-version Ubuntu 2 is "also not working", that would not be the same issue as the OP. In the OP, Ubuntu was installed.

[nsteblay]

There is a bug here. The fix is to set WSL 2 as the default before installing a Linux kernel. Use "wsl --set-default-version 2" from Powershell running as administrator before installing the Linux distribution of choice from the Microsoft Store.

[therealkenc]

wsl --set-default-version does not require Admin rights.

[Yuozas]

Here's how you do it, don't uninstall stuff. Pwease :)

I have different ridiculous stuff built and it all works after changes.

[singhrajkr]

Try the below steps :

`PS C:\Users\rajku> wsl --set-version Ubuntu-20.04 2
Conversion in progress, this may take a few minutes...
For information on key differences with WSL 2 please visit https://aka.ms/wsl2
Conversion complete.
PS C:\Users\rajku> wsl --list --all
Windows Subsystem for Linux Distributions:
Ubuntu-20.04 (Default)
docker-desktop
docker-desktop-data
PS C:\Users\rajku> wsl --list --verbose
NAME STATE VERSION

• Ubuntu-20.04 Stopped 2
  docker-desktop Stopped 2
  docker-desktop-data Stopped 2`

Note: Replace Ubuntu-20.04 with Ubuntu-18.04 if you are running Ubuntu-18.04

[bahirbarak]

(Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux ) run this command in Powershell with admin privileges, it worked for me

[kalsmic]

This worked for me wsl --set-default Ubuntu-20.04 2

[Zitzeronion]

I could not make it work with wsl --set-default Ubuntu-20.04 2, however wsl --set-default Ubuntu 2 did the trick for me.

[wnim]

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install

The documentation literally says:
"For example, wsl --set-version Ubuntu-20.04 2"

Even though it is wrong and should be
wsl --set-version Ubuntu 2

[Biswa96]

The documentation is just an example. It'll obviously vary with installed distribution.

[wnim]

the example is wrong even for the distribution it uses as an example