How to Uninstall WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) Completely?
Windows Subsystem for Linux, commonly known as WSL, is a powerful feature in Windows that allows users to run a Linux environment directly on their Windows system without using a virtual machine. Removing WSL entirely requires more than deleting a single app. When you install WSL, Windows enables several optional features and installs Linux distributions from the Microsoft Store. These distributions operate like separate environments and store their own files. Even if you uninstall one distribution, the WSL feature itself remains active in Windows.
To completely uninstall WSL, you must remove Linux distributions, disable related Windows features, and clean up any leftover files or settings.
In this guide, I will explain the entire process of uninstalling WSL completely in a clear and detailed way. Whether you installed Ubuntu, Debian, Kali Linux, or any other distribution, this guide helps you remove everything properly and safely.
So, let’s start the process!
How to Uninstall WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) Completely?
To uninstall WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) completely from Windows, first uninstall all installed Linux distributions, then disable the Windows Subsystem for Linux and Virtual Machine Platform features, and finally remove leftover files and reset WSL data. This ensures that WSL and all associated components are fully removed from your Windows system without leaving unnecessary files or settings behind.
The detailed steps are below!
Step 1: Uninstall All Installed Linux Distributions
The first step is to remove any installed Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian, Kali Linux, or openSUSE. These distributions are installed as separate applications and must be removed before disabling WSL.
Open the Settings app on your Windows computer. Navigate to the Apps section and then open Installed Apps or Apps and Features, depending on your Windows version. In the search bar, type the name of the Linux distribution you installed. You may see entries like Ubuntu, Kali Linux, Debian, or others.
Click on each distribution and select Uninstall. Confirm the removal when prompted. Repeat this process for every installed Linux distribution. Make sure no Linux distribution remains installed on your system.
Alternatively, you can uninstall distributions using PowerShell. Open PowerShell as administrator and type:
wsl –list
This command will show all installed distributions. To remove a specific distribution, type:
wsl –unregister DistributionName
Replace DistributionName with the actual name shown in the list. This command deletes the distribution and all associated files permanently.
Once all distributions are removed, you can move to the next step.
Step 2: Disable Windows Subsystem for Linux Feature
After uninstalling Linux distributions, you must disable the Windows Subsystem for Linux feature from Windows optional features. This removes the core functionality that allows Linux to run within Windows.
Open the Control Panel and navigate to Programs. Click on Turn Windows features on or off. A new window will appear with a list of optional Windows features.
Scroll down and find Windows Subsystem for Linux. Uncheck the box next to it. This action disables WSL from your system.
Click OK to apply changes. Windows will begin removing the feature. Once completed, you may be prompted to restart your computer. If prompted, restart your system to ensure the feature is fully disabled.
Disabling this feature ensures that the Linux compatibility layer is no longer active on your Windows installation.
Step 3: Disable Virtual Machine Platform and Related Features
WSL version 2 relies on additional virtualization features such as Virtual Machine Platform and sometimes Windows Hypervisor Platform. To completely remove WSL, you must disable these components as well.
Again, open Turn Windows features on or off from the Control Panel. Look for Virtual Machine Platform in the list and uncheck it. Also, check if Windows Hypervisor Platform or Hyper-V is enabled. If you no longer use virtualization tools, you can disable them too.
Click OK and allow Windows to process the changes. Restart your computer when prompted. This step ensures that all virtualization components used by WSL are removed.
If you use other virtual machine software such as VMware or VirtualBox, make sure that disabling these features will not affect your workflow before proceeding.
Step 4: Remove WSL Kernel Package
In some systems, especially those using WSL 2, a separate WSL Linux kernel update package is installed. Removing this package helps ensure that WSL is completely uninstalled.
Open Settings and go to Apps and then Installed Apps. In the search bar, type Linux or WSL. Look for an entry called Windows Subsystem for Linux Update or WSL Update.
If you find this package, click on it and select Uninstall. Confirm the removal and wait for the process to complete.
Not all systems will have this package installed separately, so do not worry if you do not see it.
Step 5: Delete Remaining WSL Files and Folders
Even after uninstalling features and distributions, some residual files may remain in your system. Removing them helps free up space and ensures a clean uninstall.
Open File Explorer and navigate to your user folder. Go to:
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Packages
Inside this folder, look for directories related to Linux distributions such as Ubuntu or Debian. Delete any remaining folders related to WSL distributions.
Also, check the following location:
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps
Remove any leftover WSL-related files if present.
Be careful not to delete unrelated system files. Only remove folders clearly linked to WSL or Linux distributions.
Step 6: Reset or Verify WSL Removal Using Command Prompt
To ensure WSL has been completely removed, open Command Prompt or PowerShell and type:
wsl
If WSL has been removed successfully, Windows will show a message indicating that the command is not recognized or that WSL is not installed.
You can also run:
wsl –status
If WSL is completely uninstalled, this command will not display active information. This confirms that all components have been removed.
If any component still appears, repeat the earlier steps and ensure all features and distributions are removed.
Faqs
Is it safe to uninstall WSL from Windows?
Yes, it is completely safe to uninstall WSL if you no longer need it. Removing WSL does not affect your personal files or regular Windows applications. However, it will delete all Linux environments and files stored inside them.
Will uninstalling WSL delete Linux files?
Yes, uninstalling WSL and its distributions will permanently delete all Linux files stored within those environments. If you have important data inside WSL, back it up before uninstalling.
Can I reinstall WSL after uninstalling it?
Yes, you can reinstall Windows Subsystem for Linux anytime from Windows features.
Why should I remove Virtual Machine Platform when uninstalling WSL?
WSL 2 uses the Virtual Machine Platform feature to run Linux environments. Removing it ensures that no virtualization components related to WSL remain active on your system.
Does uninstalling WSL improve system performance?
If you do not use WSL, removing it can free up storage space and slightly reduce background processes. However, the performance difference is usually minimal unless WSL services are actively running.