|
| 1 | +--- |
| 2 | +title: Updating the WSL 2 Linux kernel |
| 3 | +description: Instructions on how to update your WSL 2 Linux kernel manually |
| 4 | +keywords: wsl, windows, linux kernel, windows subsystem for linux, kernel |
| 5 | +ms.date: 03/12/2020 |
| 6 | +ms.topic: article |
| 7 | +ms.localizationpriority: high |
| 8 | +--- |
| 9 | + |
| 10 | +# Updating the WSL 2 Linux kernel |
| 11 | + |
| 12 | +To manually update the Linux kernel inside of WSL 2 please follow these steps. |
| 13 | + |
| 14 | +> [!NOTE] |
| 15 | +> If the installer can't find WSL 1, right-click the Linux kernel update installer and press "Uninstall", then rerun the installer. |
| 16 | +
|
| 17 | +## Download the Linux kernel update package |
| 18 | + |
| 19 | +Please [download the latest WSL2 Linux kernel](https://wslstorestorage.blob.core.windows.net/wslblob/wsl_update_x64.msi) update package for x64 machines. |
| 20 | + |
| 21 | +> [!NOTE] |
| 22 | +> If you're using an ARM64 machine, please download the [ARM64 package](https://wslstorestorage.blob.core.windows.net/wslblob/wsl_update_arm64.msi) instead. |
| 23 | +
|
| 24 | +## Install the Linux kernel update package |
| 25 | + |
| 26 | +To install the Linux kernel update package: |
| 27 | + |
| 28 | + 1. Run the update package downloaded in the previous step. |
| 29 | + |
| 30 | + 2. You will be prompted for elevated permissions, select ‘yes’ to approve this installation. |
| 31 | + |
| 32 | + 3. Once the installation is complete, you are ready to begin using WSL2! |
| 33 | + |
| 34 | +## Future plans for updating the WSL2 Linux kernel |
| 35 | + |
| 36 | +For more information, read the article [changes to updating the WSL2 Linux kernel](https://devblogs.microsoft.com/commandline/wsl2-will-be-generally-available-in-windows-10-version-2004), available on the [Windows Command Line Blog](https://aka.ms/cliblog). |
| 37 | + |
| 38 | +## Troubleshooting |
| 39 | + |
| 40 | +### This update only applies to machines with the Windows Subsystem for Linux |
| 41 | +To install MSI kernel, WSL is required and should be enabled first. If it fails, it you will see the message: |
| 42 | +`This update only applies to machines with the Windows Subsystem for Linux`. |
| 43 | + |
| 44 | +There are three possible reason you see this message: |
| 45 | + |
| 46 | +1. You are still in old version of Windows which doesn't support WSL 2. Please check the [WSL 2 requirements](https://docs.microsoft.com/windows/wsl/install-win10#update-to-wsl-2) and upgrade to use WSL 2. |
| 47 | +2. `Windows Subsystem for Linux` is not enabled. Please follow the [Windows Subsystem for Linux Installation Guide](https://docs.microsoft.com/windows/wsl/install-win10). |
| 48 | +3. After you enabled `Windows Subsystem for Linux`, a reboot is required to take into effect, please reboot your machine and try again. |
| 49 | + |
| 50 | +### `WSL 2 requires an update to its kernel component. For information please visit https://aka.ms/wsl2kernel` |
| 51 | + |
| 52 | +Each time kernel is missing in %SystemRoot%\system32\lxss\tools\, you may run into the above error. |
| 53 | + |
| 54 | +Here are some possible ways to resolve it: |
| 55 | + |
| 56 | +1. Install the Linux kernel manually following the instructions on this page. |
| 57 | +2. Uninstall the MSI from 'Add or Remove Programs', and install it again. |
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