Failed to attach disk 'LocalState\ext4.vhdx' to WSL2: The system cannot find the file specified.

[liudonghua123]

Windows Version

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.22621.1555]

WSL Version

1.2.5.0

Are you using WSL 1 or WSL 2?

• WSL 2
• WSL 1

Kernel Version

Linux version 5.15.90.1-microsoft-standard-WSL2 (oe-user@oe-host) (x86_64-msft-linux-gcc (GCC) 9.3.0, GNU ld (GNU Binutils) 2.34.0.20200220) #1 SMP Fri Jan 27 02:56:13 UTC 2023

Distro Version

Kali linux

Other Software

No response

Repro Steps

1. uninstall the old kali linux
2. reinstall kali linux from ms store.

Expected Behavior

The Kali linux installed successfully.

Actual Behavior

Could not open/start it when installed finished.

Diagnostic Logs

Failed to attach disk 'C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg\LocalState\ext4.vhdx' to WSL2: The system cannot find the file specified.
Error code: Wsl/Service/CreateInstance/MountVhd/ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND
Press any key to continue...

C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg>du -v

DU v1.62 - Directory disk usage reporter
Copyright (C) 2005-2018 Mark Russinovich
Sysinternals - www.sysinternals.com

           0  C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg\AC\INetCache
           0  C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg\AC\INetCookies
           0  C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg\AC\INetHistory
           0  C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg\AC\Temp
           0  C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg\AC
           0  C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg\AppData
           0  C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg\LocalCache\Local\Microsoft
           0  C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg\LocalCache\Local
           0  C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg\LocalCache\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
           0  C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg\LocalCache\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
           0  C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg\LocalCache\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows
           0  C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg\LocalCache\Roaming\Microsoft
           0  C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg\LocalCache\Roaming
           0  C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg\LocalCache
           0  C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg\LocalState
           0  C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg\RoamingState
           8  C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg\Settings
          32  C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg\SystemAppData\Helium
          32  C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg\SystemAppData
           0  C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg\TempState

Totals:
Files:        8
Directories:  21
Size:         40,960 bytes
Size on disk: 135,168 bytes


C:\Users\Liu.D.H\AppData\Local\Packages\KaliLinux.54290C8133FEE_ey8k8hqnwqnmg>

[cakeGH]

Hello, I'm new to this computer stuff but I had this issue too. Couldn't find anything except a short 2min YT video. Basically you need to re-install and run your Unix installation through Powershell first.

Steps:
run Windows Powershell as Admin
wsl --uninstall kali-linux
wsl --install --distribution kali-linux

This will run kali-linux in the Powershell terminal. You can just close the Powershell terminal then run the app from the store. Not sure how or why it works but it worked for me. Hope this helps you and whoever encounters this!

[davhdavh]

>wsl --unregister ubuntu
followed by
>wsl --install
fixes the problem for ubuntu atleast

[dreamflasher]

I can confirm, a simple reinstallation via Microsoft Store does not work, but wsl unregister and then install does.

[kilogold]

I can confirm, a simple reinstallation via Microsoft Store does not work, but wsl unregister and then install does.

Agreed. Same issue. This is the way.

[bi44fv]

>wsl --unregister ubuntu followed by >wsl --install fixes the problem for ubuntu atleast

it worked for me, thanks alot

[danikane]

>wsl --unregister ubuntu followed by >wsl --install fixes the problem for ubuntu atleast

On point! Thanks!

[githubrowdy]

>wsl --unregister ubuntu followed by >wsl --install fixes the problem for ubuntu atleast

It does also for kali
wsl --unregsiter kali-linux

[mcscwizzy]

Can confirm the unregister and install works. Saved my backside today.

[azuraerae]

I can confirm, a simple reinstallation via Microsoft Store does not work, but wsl unregister and then install does.

This is it 👍

[pauljones0]

This fixed it. Thank you

[V4mp1reeee]

i have it loading, its saying installing ubuntu, im worried.

[kumarchandresh]

> wsl --unregister ubuntu
followed by reinstall from ms store also worked.

[alizul01]

>wsl --unregister ubuntu followed by >wsl --install fixes the problem for ubuntu atleast

worked!

[bmaciag]

>wsl --unregister ubuntu followed by >wsl --install fixes the problem for ubuntu atleast

worked. thx

[marviniciuz]

I have the same problem how to solve?