Cannot install WSL on latest Windows Insider dev build
- Dominant language
- C++
- Stars
- 33.7k
- Forks
- 1.8k
- Avg merge
- 3d 17h
- Merged PRs (30d)
- 116
Description
### Windows Version
Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.26080.1400]
### WSL Version
2.1.5
### Are you using WSL 1 or WSL 2?
- [X] WSL 2
- [X] WSL 1
### Kernel Version
N/A
### Distro Version
N/A
### Other Software
Docker Desktop (Docker version 25.0.3, build 4debf41)
### Repro Steps
I recently updated to the latest Windows Insider dev build, which is Windows 11 Insider Preview 10.0.26080.1201 (ge_release_upr). After updating Windows, I ran `wsl --update`, which caused the "Catastrophic failure" error and completely broke my WSL setup. It seems like the failed update uninstalled WSL and I can't reinstall it.
### Expected Behavior
I expected WSL to install successfully.
### Actual Behavior
Running any WSL command produces the following output.
```
Windows Subsystem for Linux must be updated to the latest version to proceed. You can update by running 'wsl.exe --update'.
For more information please visit https://aka.ms/wslinstall
Press any key to install Windows Subsystem for Linux.
Press CTRL-C or close this window to cancel.
This prompt will time out in 60 seconds.
Operation aborted
```
Running `wsl --update` or `wsl --install` produces the following output.
```
Downloading: Windows Subsystem for Linux 2.1.5
Installing: Windows Subsystem for Linux 2.1.5
Catastrophic failure
```
Manually downloading the MSI from the GitHub releases shows these error messages.



### Diagnostic Logs
Logs from running `wsl --install`: [WslLogs-2024-03-19_19-06-02.zip](https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/files/14657801/WslLogs-2024-03-19_19-06-02.zip)
WSL install logs from temp folder: [wsl-install-logs.txt](https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/files/14657805/wsl-install-logs.txt) and [MSI65cb2.LOG](https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/files/14657808/MSI65cb2.LOG)
Contributor guide
Research direction
Start by reviewing WslLogs-2024-03-19_19-06-02.zip, wsl-install-logs.txt, and MSI65cb2.LOG, then reproduce with `wsl --update` or `wsl --install` on Windows Insider build 10.0.26080.1400. Done means WSL installs or updates without the “Catastrophic failure” error and subsequent WSL commands run normally.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Domain
- operating-systems
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Estimated time
- 3-5 days
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 25/100