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Asked: 2024-09-27T08:24:15+05:30 In: ,

How can I set a different default user for Ubuntu Bash in WSL on Windows 10?

So, I’ve been diving into using Ubuntu Bash on WSL in Windows 10 lately, and I have to say, it’s pretty cool. I really love the terminal environment and the flexibility it provides for development. However, I ran into a bit of a snag that I hope someone can help me with.

Here’s the deal: when I first set up WSL, it defaulted to a user that I really don’t use much. I’ve got my main development account that I prefer to work under, and it’s getting a bit annoying having to switch users every time I launch the Bash shell. I feel like there must be a way to set a different default user for Ubuntu Bash, but I just can’t seem to wrap my head around it.

I did a bit of digging online, and I found some information that led me to think it might be as simple as editing some configuration files, but I’m not entirely sure where to start. I also came across some commands that seem to suggest there’s a way to configure the default user, but some of them looked pretty intimidating.

If you’ve been through this before, could you share the steps to change the default user? I’d appreciate it if you could keep it straightforward, since I’m not a terminal wizard or anything. I’d love to know if there are any potential pitfalls I should watch out for—like if I might mess up something important in the process.

Also, is there a way to change it without deep-diving into the system files? I mean, I’m all for learning, but I don’t want to accidentally break my setup.

Thanks for any help you can give! I’m looking forward to getting this sorted out so I can get back to coding without the hassle of user switching. Any tips or guidance would really be appreciated!

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    2 Answers

    1. Changing the default user for Ubuntu Bash on WSL is definitely doable, and it’s great that you want to streamline your workflow! Here’s a straightforward way to get that set up without diving too deep into the system files.

      Method 1: Using WSL Command

      From Windows PowerShell, you can use the following command to set your default user:

      wsl -u

      Replace <username> with your preferred user. This will launch WSL as that user. However, this doesn’t change the default user after restarting.

      Method 2: Editing the Configuration File

      If you want to change the default user permanently, you’ll need to edit the etc/wsl.conf file (if it doesn’t exist, you’ll need to create it). Here’s how:

      1. Open your Ubuntu Bash.
      2. Type the following command to edit the wsl.conf file:
        3. sudo nano /etc/wsl.conf
      3. Then add the following lines:
      [user]
default=
      1. Make sure to replace <your_username> with your desired username.
      2. Press CTRL + X to save your changes, then Y to confirm, and hit Enter to exit.
      3. Close Ubuntu Bash and restart it to see the changes.

      Potential Pitfalls:

      Just a heads-up, when you change system configuration files, make sure you don’t accidentally delete any existing lines unless you know what they do. But don’t worry too much; the worst that usually happens is you may have to go back and fix something minor.

      As for avoiding deep dives, using the commands above and editing that one config file is really all you need to do! It’s more straightforward than it might seem.

      Hope this helps you get back to coding without the hassle of switching users! Have fun coding!


    2. Changing the default user for your Ubuntu Bash in WSL can greatly enhance your development experience. To achieve this, you can use the command line without diving deep into system files. First, open PowerShell or Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command wsl -u , replacing with the username of your preferred account. This command allows you to launch WSL with your desired user account. However, to make this user persistent, you will need to adjust the WSL configuration. You can create or edit a configuration file located at /etc/wsl.conf inside the Ubuntu Bash by adding the following content:

      [user]
      default=      . Save the file, exit, and then restart WSL to apply the changes.

      As you proceed, ensure that the new user you are setting as default has the necessary permissions to perform the tasks you wish. One thing to watch out for is that if you change users frequently, some settings and configurations might be user-specific and may not carry over. Be cautious and make backups of any important files before proceeding with any changes. If you encounter issues or specifically need the configuration to be editable without diving too deep into system files, using wsl -u each time you open WSL can be a temporary workaround. That said, changing the default user via wsl.conf will save you time in the long run.


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