Ubuntu WSL tarball installation method¶

The Ubuntu WSL tarball installation method is a procedure used to deploy multiple, distinct instances of Ubuntu within the Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2). Unlike the standard Microsoft Store installation which typically creates a single default environment, this method allows for the creation of isolated distributions by manually importing a root filesystem tarball.^[600-developer-tools-windows-install-multiple-ubuntu-wsl2.md]

Installation Procedure¶

The process involves several specific steps to download, import, and configure a new Ubuntu instance^[600-developer-tools-windows-install-multiple-ubuntu-wsl2.md].

1. Preparation and Download¶

First, ensure the latest version of Ubuntu is installed via WSL2. The core of this method involves downloading the specific Ubuntu WSL tarball, which contains the root filesystem archive required for the installation^[600-developer-tools-windows-install-multiple-ubuntu-wsl2.md].

2. Importing the Instance¶

The new instance is created by importing the downloaded tarball into WSL. This is typically done using the wsl --import command, defining the distribution name and the installation path^[600-developer-tools-windows-install-multiple-ubuntu-wsl2.md].

3. User Configuration¶

Upon creation, the instance usually defaults to a root login. Post-installation steps include^[600-developer-tools-windows-install-multiple-ubuntu-wsl2.md]: * Setup user accounts: Creating standard user accounts within the new instance. * Configure default user: Setting the newly created user as the default login user to avoid running as root routinely. * Login: Verifying access by logging in as the new user.

[[Windows Subsystem for Linux]]
[[Virtualization]]

Sources¶

^[600-developer-tools-windows-install-multiple-ubuntu-wsl2.md]