Useful WSL commands

wsl-commands.md

Useful WSL commands

List distributions

wsl --list --verbose --all

Import distribution

wsl --import docker-desktop-data .\wsl\data "C:\Program Files\Docker\Docker\resources\wsl\wsl-data.tar" --version=2  # import clean docker distribution

Unregister distribution

wsl --unregister podman-machine-default

Export distribution

wsl --export podman-machine-default E:\Workspace\wsl\podman-machine-default\podman-machine-default.tar

Move WSL data volume

• 2 HUGE Docker files on my systemdrive ext4.vhdx
• Move docker-desktop-data distro out of System Drive
• Docker Desktop WSL 2 backend
• Moving Docker wsl files #5829
• Where are Docker volumes located when running WSL using Docker Desktop?

ls $env:LOCALAPPDATA/Docker/wsl

        Directory: C:\Users\sanyer\AppData\Local\Docker\wsl

    Mode                 LastWriteTime         Length Name
    ----                 -------------         ------ ----
    d----           23-Apr-22    22:27                data
    d----           07-Jul-22    23:32                distro

wsl -l -v
wsl --shutdown
wsl --export docker-desktop-data .\docker-desktop-data.tar
wsl --unregister docker-desktop-data
wsl --import docker-desktop-data .\wsl\data ".\docker-desktop-data.tar" --version=2
# Optimize-VHD -Path .\wsl\data\ext4.vhdx -Mode Full  # works only if Hyper-V Platform is installed