Fixing WSL-2 Distro Network Speed Cap: Boosting Connectivity to 30-40 Mbps

Are you experiencing slow network speeds when using WSL-2 distros on your computer? Don't worry, you're not alone. Many users have reported a network speed cap issue with WSL-2, but there are some simple steps you can take to boost your connectivity to 30-40 Mbps. In this article, we will guide you through the process of fixing the WSL-2 distro network speed cap.

Step 1: Update Windows 10

The first step is to ensure that you have the latest version of Windows 10 installed on your computer. Microsoft regularly releases updates that include bug fixes and performance improvements. To update your Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Start menu and select "Settings".
2. In the Settings window, click on "Update & Security".
3. Click on "Check for updates" and wait for Windows to search for available updates.
4. If any updates are found, click on "Download" and let Windows install them.
5. Restart your computer once the updates are installed.

Step 2: Enable Virtual Machine Platform

WSL-2 relies on the Virtual Machine Platform feature in Windows 10. By default, this feature may not be enabled on your computer. To enable it, follow these steps:

1. Open the Start menu and search for "Turn Windows features on or off".
2. Click on the search result to open the Windows Features window.
3. Scroll down and locate "Virtual Machine Platform".
4. Check the box next to "Virtual Machine Platform" and click on "OK".
5. Wait for Windows to enable the feature and restart your computer.

Step 3: Set WSL-2 as Default

Once you have enabled the Virtual Machine Platform, you need to set WSL-2 as the default version for your distros. Follow these steps:

1. Open PowerShell as an administrator by right-clicking on the Start menu and selecting "Windows PowerShell (Admin)".
2. Enter the following command and press Enter: wsl --set-default-version 2
3. Wait for the command to execute and confirm that the default version is set to 2.

Step 4: Update WSL-2 Kernel

Updating the WSL-2 kernel can also help improve network speeds. Follow these steps to update the kernel:

1. Open your web browser and visit the following link: https://aka.ms/wsl2kernel
2. Download the latest WSL-2 Linux kernel update package.
3. Once the download is complete, double-click on the package to install it.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Congratulations! You have successfully fixed the WSL-2 distro network speed cap issue. You should now experience improved connectivity with network speeds ranging from 30-40 Mbps.

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