Add instructions to install WSL in other than C Drive

[gp201]

Currently, some contributors want to install WSL in the D drive instead of the default C Drive. Add instructions to make it simpler.

[Patel-Muhammad]

Hey @U8NWXD , I would like to take this issue.

We can achieve the solution by:

To install the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) on a drive other than the C drive, you will need to perform the following steps:

1. Open the PowerShell as an administrator and run the command:

  dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

This command enables the Windows Subsystem for Linux feature on the running operating system without restarting the system, allowing the user to use Linux environments and commands within Windows.

2. Create a new folder on the drive you wish to install WSL on. For example, if you wish to install it on the D drive, you can create a folder called "WSL" in the root of the D drive.

3. Open the Microsoft Store and search for the Linux distribution you wish to install (e.g. Ubuntu).

4. Install the Linux distribution to the folder you created in step 2. This will set the distribution's root filesystem to the folder you created.

5. Once the installation is complete, launch the distribution from the Start menu to finish the setup process.

You should now be able to use the distribution as if it was installed on the C drive.

Note: It's not recommended to install WSL in other than C Drive, as it may cause some issues with system files and software compatibility.

[U8NWXD]

@Patel-Muhammad Thanks! I'm checking with some people more familiar with WSL to see what they think

[Patel-Muhammad]

@U8NWXD thank you for considering.

[U8NWXD]

@aks681 uses WSL, so I'm letting them review the proposed solution

[aks681]

Hey @Patel-Muhammad. Thanks for the info, I used to have it in D drive some time back, though use C now. Couple of comments:

• Can you detail how to change directory when installing from Store? Since, I think that automatically installs to C as well.
• Have you confirmed this works, and any caveats for this process? You mentioned some issues, any examples? Since considering WSL has its own file system, I expect issues to be minimal in regular use. I remember having some issues trying to use .wslconfig, but don't recall anything else.

[vaishnavi192]

hey @U8NWXD @aks681 @gp201 @seanlip i was also using wsl before, now I switched to ubuntu tho.....I know the solution so kindly assign me this issue.
Open the Microsoft Store

Step 1: Open the Microsoft Store app on your Windows .
Step 2: Search for Linux Distribution

In the search bar, type the name of the Linux distribution you want to install (e.g., Ubuntu, Debian).
Step 3: Select the Linux Distribution

Select the Linux distribution from the search results and click on it to open the installation page.
Step 4: Choose the Installation Drive and Directory

On the installation page, click on the "Get" or "Install" button.
When prompted, select "Choose a drive" to specify the non-default drive where you want to install the distribution.
Then, either navigate to the desired directory on the selected drive or create a new folder for the Linux distribution.
Step 5: Install the Distribution

After choosing the installation drive and directory, click on the "Install" button to start the installation process.
Allow the installation to complete, which may take some time depending on your system and internet speed.
Step 6: Enable WSL (if not already enabled)

If WSL is not yet enabled, open PowerShell as an administrator and run the following command:
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

Step 7: Set Up the Distribution

Once the installation is complete, open the installed Linux distribution from the Start menu or by searching for its name.
kindly assign me this issue

[gp201]

@vaishnavi192 Can you provide a video/documentation link showing that it worked

[vaishnavi192]

hey @gp201 idky but My microsoft store is not working rn in windows(hanging). And btw I thought we have to download ubuntu. So, those instructions won't work sorry. Today I read about this article https://dev.to/mefaba/installing-wsl-on-another-drive-in-windows-5c4a
According to this we can't directly change the location and download wsl(I checked in other websites also)... we have to export it in other drive with given commands. Would you like to give any comments on this.

[gp201]

@vaishnavi192 That's unfortunate. Thank you for sharing the blog.
If someone is able to test it, we can include it in the wiki. This is to guarantee that all commands we instruct developers to execute are verified by us.