Migrated WSL Ubuntu 20.04.06 to New Location, Leaving Ubuntu 20.04.3 Place: What You Need to Know

Migrating your WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) Ubuntu installation to a new location or leaving an existing Ubuntu 20.04.3 installation behind might seem like a daunting task. However, with proper planning and following the steps below, you can make the transition smoothly. In this article, we will guide you through the process of installing a new Ubuntu WSL instance while leaving the old one behind.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you meet the following requirements:

• You have administrative access to your Windows system.
• You have a stable internet connection.
• You have the latest version of Windows 10 with the WSL feature enabled.

Step 1: Create a New User (Optional)

Creating a new user for your Ubuntu installation is optional but recommended for security reasons. To create a new user, follow these steps:

1. Open the Windows Terminal or Command Prompt.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

wsl --user:add  --password 

Replace and with the desired username and password.

Step 2: Uninstall the Old Ubuntu Instance (Optional)

If you want to uninstall the old Ubuntu instance, follow these steps:

1. Open the Windows Terminal or Command Prompt.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

wsl --list --verbose

Locate the Ubuntu version you want to uninstall and note down its distribution name.

3. Type the following command and press Enter:

wsl --unregister 

Replace with the name of the Ubuntu distribution you want to uninstall.

Step 3: Install the New Ubuntu Instance

To install the new Ubuntu instance, follow these steps:

1. Open the Microsoft Store and search for "Ubuntu."
2. Click "Get" to download and install Ubuntu.
3. Once installed, open the Ubuntu application from the Start menu.

Step 4: Configure the New Ubuntu Instance

After installing the new Ubuntu instance, you need to configure it:

1. Set the default user and password by following the on-screen instructions during the initial setup.
2. Update the package index by running:

sudo apt update

3. Install any necessary packages using:

sudo apt install 

Replace with the name of the package you want to install.

In this article, we have covered the process of migrating your WSL Ubuntu installation to a new location or leaving an existing Ubuntu installation behind. We have discussed the prerequisites, creating a new user (optional), uninstalling the old Ubuntu instance (optional), and installing the new Ubuntu instance. By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth transition and minimize any potential issues.

References

For further reading, check out the following resources:

• Microsoft Documentation: Install the WSL Linux Distributions
• Ubuntu: Ubuntu on Windows Subsystem for Linux