This article explains the steps you can take to list all installed Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) distributions in Windows 11.
Windows Subsystem for Linux lets developers run a GNU/Linux environment, including most command-line tools, utilities, and applications directly in Windows without setting up a virtual machine or dual-boot.
When you want to quickly see or list all the installed WSL distros on Windows 11, the steps below will show you how. This should come in handy when you want to know what distros are currently installed and what available versions are.
List all installed Windows Subsystem for Linux distros via File Explorer
As described above, when you want to quickly see a list of installed Linux distros with WSL, the steps below should help you.
The quickest way to know what distros are installed is to use Windows File Explorer.
To do that, open File Explorer or use the keyboard shortcut (Window key + R).
Once File Explorer opens, click the Linux folder on the left navigation pane.
You should then see folders for all the install distros.
List installed WSL distros via Windows commands
Alternatively, one can use the Terminal app and open either the Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell.
Then run the commands below to list all the installed Linux distros.
wsl --list --all
or
wsl -l
To list distros with other details, use the commands below.
wsl --list --verbose
or
wsl -l -v
Optionally, run the commands below to list running distros.
wsl --list --running
or
wsl -l --running
That should do it!
Conclusion:
This post showed you how to list installed WSL distros in Windows 11. If you find any error above or have something to add, please use the comment form below.
