microsoft / microsoft/WSL

wsl --install : A specified logon session does not exist. It may already have been terminated.

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install
Dominant language
C++
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Description

### Version

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.22621.1105]

### WSL Version

- [X] WSL 2
- [ ] WSL 1

### Kernel Version

_No response_

### Distro Version

_No response_

### Other Software

_No response_

### Repro Steps

Initial install. Downloaded wsl from MS store. Stared admin command shell. Typed wsl --install.
wsl install virtual machine support, and then terminated with the message:
A specified logon session does not exist. It may already have been terminated.

Attempting to rerun wsl now just give the error about logon session:

C:\Windows\System32>wsl --install
Installing: Windows Subsystem for Linux
A specified logon session does not exist. It may already have been terminated.

### Expected Behavior

Expecting to successfully install wsl

### Actual Behavior

Got the error message above

### Diagnostic Logs

_No response_

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

No source files or tests are named. Start by reproducing `wsl --install` on Windows 10.0.22621.1105 with WSL 2, then collect the missing kernel, distro, software, and diagnostic details; done means identifying the cause of the logon-session error and restoring a successful initial installation.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
cpp
Domain
operating-systems
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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