how to install WSL on my computer

Evva Morrissey 0 Reputation points
2026-09-28T17:53:08.62+00:00

here is everything i've tried

WSL Detection

Ran Get-AppxPackage *WindowsSubsystemForLinux*

Result: No output → WSL package not installed

WSL Install Attempt

Ran wsl --install

Result: The system cannot find the path specified

Enabled Required Windows Features

Ran dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all

Result: Successfully enabled

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

  Result: **Successfully enabled**
  
  Restarted computer
  
  Ran `wsl --install` again
  
     Result: **The system cannot find the path specified**

Verified WSL Feature State

Ran Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux

Result: State: Enabled → Confirms feature is enabled but WSL package files are missing

System File Integrity Checks

Ran sfc /scannow

Result: No integrity violations

Ran DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

  Result: **Completed successfully**
  
  Restarted computer
  
  Ran `wsl --install` again
  
     Result: **The system cannot find the path specified**

Current Status

  • WSL features are enabled
  • Windows system files are healthy
  • Windows component store is healthy
  • WSL installer path is missing
  • wsl.exe and related package files are not present on the system
  • Windows cannot install WSL through normal commands

    WSL Detection

    • Ran Get-AppxPackage *WindowsSubsystemForLinux*
    • Result: No output → WSL package not installed

    WSL Install Attempt

    • Ran wsl --install
    • Result: The system cannot find the path specified

    Enabled Required Windows Features

    • Ran dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all
      • Result: Successfully enabled
    • Ran dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all
      • Result: Successfully enabled
    • Restarted computer
    • Ran wsl --install again
      • Result: The system cannot find the path specified

    Verified WSL Feature State

    • Ran Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux
    • Result: State: Enabled → Confirms feature is enabled but WSL package files are missing

    System File Integrity Checks

    • Ran sfc /scannow
      • Result: No integrity violations
    • Ran DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
      • Result: Completed successfully
    • Restarted computer
    • Ran wsl --install again
      • Result: The system cannot find the path specified

    Current Status

    • WSL features are enabled
    • Windows system files are healthy
    • Windows component store is healthy
    • WSL installer path is missing
    • wsl.exe and related package files are not present on the system
    • Windows cannot install WSL through normal commands

WSL will not install on my computer at all

Windows for home | Other | Install and upgrade
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2 answers

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  1. Thomas4-N 22,380 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-10-02T10:43:08.46+00:00

    Hello Evva Morrissey,

    You’ve already enabled both WSL features and run SFC and DISM, so I wouldn’t repeat those steps. The key detail is that you report wsl.exe is missing, although wsl --install returns an error.

    Could you open a regular Command Prompt and share the output of these two commands, along with your Windows version and build from winver?

    where wsl

    dir C:\Windows\System32\wsl.exe

    That should help us tell whether Windows can find the executable before choosing the next installation or repair step.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-09-28T17:53:28.1166667+00:00

    Since wsl --install fails after the required features are already enabled, use these supported paths:

    1. Confirm the OS requirement. wsl --install requires Windows 10 version 2004 or later (Build 19041+) or Windows 11.
    2. Install a distro explicitly instead of the default flow. Open PowerShell as Administrator and run: 
         wsl --list --online
   wsl --install -d Ubuntu
      On some Windows 10 and older setups, the -d flag is required.
    3. If installation hangs or the normal source is failing, use web download. 
         wsl --install --web-download -d Ubuntu
    4. If the one-command install path is still broken, use the manual path for older versions. The documented manual step for WSL 2 is to enable Virtual Machine Platform and restart: 
         dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart
      That feature is already enabled in this case, so the next step is to continue with the manual installation flow from the WSL install documentation.
    5. If the local wsl install path appears broken on the machine, install WSL from the Microsoft WSL release installer. A Microsoft Q&A accepted answer for install failures such as Class not registered recommends installing WSL from the Microsoft GitHub WSL releases page.
    6. If Windows optional features cannot be installed because source files are missing, repair Windows using Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update > Reinstall now. That keeps files, apps, and settings.

    Notes for this case:

    • The required Windows features being enabled means the platform prerequisites are in place.
    • wsl --install normally enables WSL and Virtual Machine Platform, downloads the latest Linux kernel, sets WSL 2 as default, and installs Ubuntu.
    • A restart is required during installation.
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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    1 person found this answer helpful.

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