WSL2 distros ( C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Packages\CanonicalGroupLimited...) Docker WSL2 distros ( C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Docker) Shut down WSL2. This will stop WSL, optimize the VHD (which releases unallocated space inside the VHDX back to the host OS), moves the VHDX to the new location, and replaces the "data" folder with a symlink to the new location. Virtual hard disk is an ext4 partitioned disk containing the contents of … Latest and greatest How to install Linux WSL2 on Windows 10 The latest version of the Windows Subsystem for Linux is a significant upgrade, but also one that takes a few steps to set up. As Docker now uses WSL2 if allowed to, I also did need to align my setup here to have all the Docker things not on my main drive C:/ What we do for this is using the WSL CLI tool to export the current VM into a tar file, unregister the Distro, and then importing it with the same distro name, but a new install location new location. You can also access them directly at a \\wsl$ path. Make sure that you the containers stopped using the following command: As you can see on the highlighted lines the containers are stopped. However, under WSL2 the Linux filesystem is wrapped up in a virtual hard disk (VHDX) file: C:\Users\valorin\AppData\Local\Packages\WhitewaterFoundryLtd.Co.16571368D6CFF_kd1vv0z0vy70w\LocalState\ext4.vhdx These are some of the frequently asked questions regarding WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux). Docker Desktop WSL 2 backend has now been available for a few months for Windows 10 insider users and Microsoft just released WSL 2 on the Release Preview channel (which means GA is very close). You don’t need to uninstall any of the docker containers to do so, but if you are starting fresh it is best to do that before starting to add containers (fewer data to move around). If you are on latest version follow this post - /blog/install-move-wsl-distro-from-c-drive-to-another-drive/ You can use LxRunOffline tool to move WSL 1 distros. © 2021 LOCJ on IT World. It happens that in my development environment I have 2 disks, a faster and smaller one that I keep my applications and a bigger and slower where goes my data. This script will: Find your vhdx file (s) in the default paths of. To unmount and detach the disk from WSL 2, run. For starters, the filesystem is now a virtual hard disk in vhdx format instead of a directory. I install wsl2 , i learn that wsl2 use vhdx as store file, because C disk is small, so I want to move the vhdx file to other disk. WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) can take a considerable amount of space on the system drive. and Much Faster I/O Performance. We and our early users have accumulated some experience working with it and are excited to share a few best practices to implement in your Linux container projects! Set WSL2 as default. A zettabyte is a thousand exabytes, and an exabyte is a thousand petabytes. After moving the Linux distro (see MicrosoftDocs/WSL#412), I got "access denied" when importing. Now, the file simply needs to be mounted inside WSL as a disk. WSL2 changes how everything works under the hood for sharing file systems. Edit - As pointed out by lxrunoffline author, it is supported to move WSL2 distro.No conversion needed. The Windows May 2020 update is … Once mounted, the disk can be accessed under the path pointed to by the config value: automount.root. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. There is a way to change the WSL installation drive after the initial In order to run WSL2 you need to be a Windows Insider and be on at least on version 18917 or higher. The last step for installing and configuring WSL2 is to install the update. So I wanted to find a way to install/move my existing distro to different location than C drive. To check your Windows version, hit Windows Key + x and click on system. From Windows, the disk can be accessed from File Explorer by navigating to: \\wsl$\\\\ (pick any Linux distribution). This will launch File Explorer showing the current Linux directory—you can browse the Linux environment’s file system from there. This is probably because I do not have WSL2. WSL 2 brings Full System-Call Compatibility Everything works great. With WSL2/Ubuntu installed, the local Windows C drive is mounted in Ubuntu automatically. Below is an example of mounting a specific partition of a given hard disk into WSL and browsing its files. Unmount the disk. I am able to copy items into my home directory from my Windows file system. choco install lxrunoffline; lxrunoffline list List all the installed distros on your system. Once that is done you can restart your docker desktop application and you will ee that the existing and new docker containers will use the virtual disk of the imported files. Open PowerShell as Administrator and run the following command to enable WSL feature: Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName … There are different reasons to change WSL install directory. Don’t forget to adjust the path to the folder where you want your virtual disk to be located (line 8) – it is the folder name and not the virtual disk name. wsl --unmount The disks paths are available under the ‘DeviceID’ columns. If you don’t know this path, you can find by first locating the package directory for your WSL2 instance, which lives in: C:\Users\valorin\AppData\Local\Packages\. Is there a way that can change the location of this virtual drive or the home directory at least to any other location, similar to the idea of a having a separate home partition on Linux. It will open up a new window: Once that has opened, you need to specify the path to your VHDX file. The WSL2/Ubuntu drive format is ext4. Here I am MOVING my Ubuntu distro from C: drive to a folder in D: drive named "Ubuntu_20.04_LTS", Coding / Programming || Cloud || Software || Computers || Football, Copy all your files into your home/username/ directory of your wsl distro. This post is applicable for older lxrunoffline versions. I run out of space when I install ReactNative related dev tools. PS C:\Users\valorin> diskpart. If you have those selected, click OK and go throu… On the disk, i assume ( because ext4 ) its a full sized image like any Virtual machine does but explorer threats it like it does with a zip file. WSL2 is compatible with the Home, Pro, or Server editions of Windows but not Windows 10 S (although you can often upgrade to the Home edition for free). please tell me how to do it. This page shows how to install Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) system on a non-system drive manually. Access WSL2/Ubuntu Drive from File Explorer. thx The text was updated successfully, but these errors were encountered: Usually under the \\.\\\.\PHYSICALDRIVE* format. Mount the file as a disk. First check the current capacity of your distro with Command: Open PowerShell to get the PackageFamilyName, Locate the vhdx file: Open RUN > appdata > Local > Packages > PackageFamilyName > LocalState > disk.vhdx. All rights reserved. The default value is /mnt/wsl. Compact all found disks with diskpart. Seagate already offers an 18TB Exos drive, they'd only have to sell 56 to hit a petabyte. Install LxRunOffline tool. In the upcoming Windows 10 feature update, a new version of WSL is coming and it is called WSL2. With the introduction of WSL2 on Windows 10 version 2004, docker desktop can use WSL2 instead of using Microsoft Hyper-V directly, you can check more about using WSL2 as the Docker Desktop backend here https://docs.docker.com/docker-for-windows/wsl/. WSL2: How to Fix "Virtual hard disk files must be uncompressed and unencrypted and must not be sparse" Aug 26, 2020 1 min read. Edit - As pointed out by lxrunoffline author, it is supported to move WSL2 distro.No conversion needed. Accessing these files with File Explorer One of the reason is many of the WSL users from windows 10 have a small system drive. There are a lot of chances that your WSL2 environment size is going to blow up. The firsts step is to stop your docker desktop, you can either stop the docker desktop application or using the power shell stop the following containers: docker-desktop and docker-desktop-data (wsl -t container_name). Your email address will not be published. I didn’t find the need to move the docker-desktop container itself, just the docker-desktop-data, but that can be done with both. It's (Ubuntu in my case) default location can be found by: Open PowerShell to get the PackageFamilyName; Command: Get-AppxPackage -Name "*Ubuntu*" | Select PackageFamilyName; Locate the vhdx file: Open RUN > appdata > Local > Packages > PackageFamilyName > LocalState > disk.vhdx; Open PowerShell and type command: diskpart Install WSL2 update. I have a small 128GB SSD. Bu if you want to switch to WSL2, it’s going to be a little more complicated. Inspired by this post on GitHub about WSL2 filling hard disks. Disk-maker Seagate claims to have become the first company to ship three zettabytes' worth of data storage devices. The one thing that is making my skin crawl is the idea that I have to keep all my Linux files in the packages folder under AppData in my C drive. If you want to know about how to install/upgrade to WSL 2, If you want to unmount and detach the disk from WSL 2, run: check out THIS link. Once we are ok with WSL2, just set up version 2 as default for all the subsystem. This can be done using the following command: For me, the mount point was /projects, hence the command above becomes. It is very easy for it to reach 100GB in size. Once you install Docker Desktop and enable the support for WSL2 it will create 2 Windows Subsystem for Linux distribution: Up to this point, I haven’t found a way to change where those distribution virtual disks are created. WSL was good but it was not perfect for a linux dev running Windows 10. I recently migrated from WSL 1 to WSL 2, which is simply a new version of the WSL architecture that changes how Linux distributions interact with Windows. Mar 21, 2020 1 min read wsl2 Reduce WSL2 disk size. PS E:\Temp> wsl --import Ubuntu-Copy E:\WSL2\Ubuntu-Copy E:\WSL2\ubuntu.tar This will create a folder Ubuntu-Copy folder in the E:\WSL2 and the ext4.vhdx file in that folder. It is a simple MSI package, so you can download it and install with a double click. The install locations need own directories, as they contain the disk image(in my case both had a file ext4.vhdx) I do not know yet, how this works with updates of the Distros, or what happens if Docker updates. I just had to google a bit to figure out how to copy files to/from an Ubuntu install on WSL2 so in case it’s useful to others The windows drives are availble in the WSL environment as /mnt/drive letter You can do open a windows explorer view on any WSL directory simply with $ explorer.exe . If you have the same situation as I do and would like to move then out of place here is a quick guide on how to do it. The latter quantity is far from fanciful these days. Just change the $newLocation parameter, and it'll move the VHDX file to the new location. There you’ll see your Windows version: To run WSL2, you’ll need to enable to additional Windows features: Hyper-V and WSL. The file is hosted here from Microsoft. The first step it to export the docker-desktop-date container to a tar file, remove the container, and reimport it with the same name in a different folder. In File Explorer or any other Windows application that can browse files, navigate to the following path: \\wsl$. With this, the file will be mounted at /projects, and now can be treated as a regular file/disk. So when you "enter" the WSL2 … Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), https://docs.docker.com/docker-for-windows/wsl/. If resize2fs is not installed then install by command: Open your wsl distro and type following command to verify the change: Then manually Uninstall the Microsoft Store App from the Start Menu or Windows Settings. I cannot get WSL2 because I have build 10.0.18362. One reason was it was not fully compatible with linux. In these cases it is better to move the vhdx file from the system drive to an external ssd or some other non system drive. Move WSL to another drive. This is going to be a multipart-series of how to setup the ULTIMATE WSL2 and Docker environment, to get the most out of it, during your everyday developer’s life.. Now, let’s first tackle the meaning of ULTIMATE, since everyone has it’s own interpretation on what it means.S. To get both up and running, look for “Turn Windows features on or off” in the start menu: In that window, make sure to select both HyperV and Windows Subsystem for Linux. If you're using Windows 10 Home, you can use this workaround for the Optimize-VHD command . WSL 2 is a massive improvement over WSL 1. wsl --import docker-desktop-data /path/to/virtual/disk/folder docker-desktop-data.tar Don’t forget to adjust the path to the folder where you want your virtual disk to be located (line 8) – it is the folder name and not the virtual disk name. Move WSL distro from default installed location. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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