microsoft / microsoft/WSL

Unable to install wsl, pre-req VirtualMachinePlatform fails to install

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#13,196 9 comments 1 reaction 0 assignees View on GitHub
hypervisor-platform install
Dominant language
C++
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Description

### Windows Version

Microsoft Windows 11 Enterprise [26100.4351]

### WSL Version

2.5.9

### Are you using WSL 1 or WSL 2?

- [x] WSL 2
- [ ] WSL 1

### Kernel Version

_No response_

### Distro Version

_No response_

### Other Software

_No response_

### Repro Steps

```
PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart

```

### Expected Behavior

the virtual platform feature should be enabled via command line or via wsl --install --no-distribution

### Actual Behavior

PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.26100.1150

Image Version: 10.0.26100.4351

Error: 1168

Element not found.

The DISM log file can be found at C:\WINDOWS\Logs\DISM\dism.log

### Diagnostic Logs

[WslLogs-2025-06-27_16-06-35.zip](https://github.com/user-attachments/files/20957304/WslLogs-2025-06-27_16-06-35.zip)

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

Reproduce the failure with the shown dism.exe command on Windows 11 Enterprise 26100.4351 and WSL 2.5.9, then inspect C:\Windows\Logs\DISM\dism.log and the attached WslLogs archive. Done means VirtualMachinePlatform enables successfully through the command or wsl --install --no-distribution.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
powershell
Domain
operating-systems
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
35/100

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