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Asked: 2024-09-24T18:11:56+05:30 In: ,

How can I remove the Ubuntu 20.04 installation from Windows 10’s WSL?

So, here’s the deal: I’ve been playing around with Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) on my Windows 10 machine and decided to install Ubuntu 20.04 to dive into some development work. It was all fun and games until I realized that I really only needed it for a couple of small tasks. Now, it feels like I have this extra weight on my system that I don’t want anymore, and it’s kind of cluttering things up.

I’ve tried to figure out how to uninstall Ubuntu from WSL, but honestly, I’m a bit lost. I’ve seen some posts online, but they all seem to dive into technical jargon that doesn’t really resonate with me. Plus, I’ve heard that if I uninstall it incorrectly, I might mess up something else in WSL or even in Windows itself, and I really don’t want that.

I know there’s this command line stuff involved, but I’m not the most comfortable with Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt just yet. Like, how do I even get there? Do I just type the command straight up, or do I need to navigate through different directories? Also, is there any prep work I should be doing beforehand? Like backing up files or checking for any lingering processes that might interfere?

And what if I decide later on that I want to use Ubuntu again? Is there a simple way to reinstall it after I’ve uninstalled, or does that involve going through a bunch of steps again? I want to make sure I understand the whole process clearly before diving in.

So, for anyone who’s been in the same boat or knows their way around WSL pretty well, could you break it down for me? I could really use a step-by-step guide that doesn’t assume I have a degree in computer science, ya know? A little clarity goes a long way! Thanks in advance for any help!

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    2 Answers


    1. How to Uninstall Ubuntu from WSL on Windows 10

      If you’re looking to uninstall Ubuntu from WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) and you want to keep it simple, you’ve come to the right place! Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you out.

      Step 1: Open Windows PowerShell

      First, you’ll need to open PowerShell. Just click on the Start menu (or press the Windows key), type PowerShell, and hit Enter. You don’t need to navigate through different directories.

      Step 2: List your WSL Distros

      Type this command into PowerShell to see all your installed WSL distributions:

      wsl --list

      This will show you all the Linux distributions you have installed, including Ubuntu 20.04.

      Step 3: Uninstall Ubuntu

      To uninstall Ubuntu, you’ll use this command:

      wsl --unregister Ubuntu-20.04

      Make sure to replace Ubuntu-20.04 with the exact name shown in the list from the previous step if it’s different. That’s it! Your Ubuntu installation is now unregistered and uninstalled.

      Step 4: Check for any leftover data

      It’s always a good idea to check for any important files you might have left in the Ubuntu environment. If you had anything important in there, consider backing it up before you proceed with the uninstallation.

      Step 5: Can I reinstall Ubuntu later?

      Absolutely! If you want to reinstall Ubuntu later, you can do it easily through the Microsoft Store. Just search for “Ubuntu” and follow the prompts. You can quickly get back to where you left off.

      Final Note

      No need to worry about messing up your Windows or WSL with this process—the uninstall is pretty straightforward. Just follow the steps, and you’ll be all set!

      If you need more help or run into any issues, feel free to ask!



    2. To uninstall Ubuntu from Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), you won’t need to navigate through directories or deal with complicated commands. Begin by opening PowerShell: you can do this by pressing the Windows key, typing “PowerShell,” and hitting Enter. Once the window is open, simply type `wsl –list` to see all installed WSL distributions, including Ubuntu. To uninstall it, just type `wsl –unregister `, replacing `` with “Ubuntu-20.04” or whatever the specific name of your distribution is. This command will remove Ubuntu from WSL without affecting your Windows installation or other programs, so there’s no need to worry about causing any damage if you follow these steps.

      Before you uninstall, it’s a good idea to ensure you don’t have any important files in the Ubuntu environment that you need to keep. If you do, back them up to your Windows file system. You might also want to check whether any processes are running by typing `wsl` and hitting Enter to switch into your WSL terminal. If you later decide to reinstall Ubuntu, you can easily do so by visiting the Microsoft Store, searching for “Ubuntu,” and following the installation prompts. This process makes it just as easy to set it up again when you’re ready to dive back into development work.


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