Clarify whether the "Windows Subsystem for Linux" optional component is required for Store-based WSL 2

[majidtp]

Type of issue

Outdated article

Feedback

The WSL FAQ currently states that WSL 2 requires both “Virtual Machine Platform” and the “Windows Subsystem for Linux” optional component.

However, the current wsl --install documentation says that --enable-wsl1 enables the “Windows Subsystem for Linux” optional component specifically to support WSL 1, and the official Store WSL announcement states that the Store-based WSL installation no longer enables this optional component.

Could the FAQ be updated to distinguish between:

• Store-based WSL 2 on Windows 11, which requires Virtual Machine Platform
• WSL 1 or inbox WSL, which additionally requires the Windows Subsystem for Linux optional component

The current wording may cause users to manually enable an unnecessary Windows feature.

Page URL

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/faq

Content source URL

https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/wsl/blob/main/WSL/faq.yml

Author

John Kennedy (@GrantMeStrength)

Document Id

156d9535-c2a5-bc8d-af24-342a13832abf

Platform Id

d95f0fd5-4b8e-dd81-2389-f16ea5f4af8a