wsl --install -d not installing distro
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Description
### Windows Version
windows 11 25h2
### WSL Version
2.6.3.0
### Are you using WSL 1 or WSL 2?
- [x] WSL 2
- [ ] WSL 1
### Kernel Version
6.6.87.2-1
### Distro Version
Debian 13
### Other Software
_No response_
### Repro Steps
1. there is NOT installed anything related to wsl
2. execute command wsl --install -d Debian
3. the debian or any other distro is not installed
### Expected Behavior
The Debian distro is installed
### Actual Behavior
debian distro is not installed, it is needed after restart to again execute the command to install debian distro
### Diagnostic Logs
[WslLogs-2026-01-09_18-25-56.zip](https://github.com/user-attachments/files/24532424/WslLogs-2026-01-09_18-25-56.zip)
Contributor guide
Research direction
Start by reproducing the reported flow on Windows 11 25H2 with WSL 2.6.3.0: run `wsl --install -d Debian`, restart when prompted, and inspect the attached WslLogs-2026-01-09_18-25-56.zip. Done means the command installs Debian as expected without requiring a second manual invocation.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- debian, linux
- Domain
- operating-systems
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Estimated time
- 3-5 days
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 35/100