Could not access starting directory \\wsl$\Ubuntu\home error 0x8007010b

[SGrima1]

Windows Build Number

Version 10.0.19041.985

WSL Version

• WSL 2
• WSL 1

Kernel Version

5.4.72

Distro Version

20.04

Other Software

Visual Studio Code 1.51.1 connected to Ubuntu

Repro Steps

opening ubuntu on windows terminal preview

Expected Behavior

access to wsl

Actual Behavior

[error 0x8007010b when launching `wsl.exe -d Ubuntu']
Could not access starting directory "//wsl$/Ubuntu/home/SAGRI"

Diagnostic Logs

No response

[SGrima1]

[cggonzal]

similar problem on 18.04:

[cggonzal]

I was able to solve this by going into the windows terminal settings, going to the ubuntu profile, and ticking the "Use parent process directory" box. No idea why that worked. It's also worth noting that this occurred to me right after a reboot.

[hi7ee5h]

Just to reiterate, I was having the same issue. This is specific to terminal right now. Running just wsl.exe on powershell works fine and ticking the "Use parent process directory" box in terminal settings seems to have fixed it for me too.

[seapagan]

I was able to solve this by going into the windows terminal settings, going to the ubuntu profile, and ticking the "Use parent process directory" box. No idea why that worked. It's also worth noting that this occurred to me right after a reboot.

Perfect, just had the same issue and the above worked for me - either run in cmd prompt or tick the above setting. Lifesaver!!

I have several WSL distributions, need to tick this for all of them if using Windows Terminal. Must have been some sneaky stealth update last night?

Edit again: This seems to happen if you have a custom startup directory - I did since I don't want to start my Linux in the windows %USERPROFILE% every time. However, If I tick the box, then untick and set the "\\wsl$\Ubuntu\blahblah\home" path to my home directory manually again it all works as before, and I start up in the correct (Linux) home dir.

[pradoz]

Edit again: This seems to happen if you have a custom startup directory - I did since I don't want to start my Linux in the windows %USERPROFILE% every time. However, If I tick the box, then untick and set the "\wsl$\Ubuntu\blahblah\home" path to my home directory manually again it all works as before, and I start up in the correct (Linux) home dir.

Thanks. This worked for me.

I added a few lines to my .zshrc/.bashrc that references my %USERPROFILE% variable. If we end up there, navigate to where we want the default to be instead. Replace ~ with your desired start directory.

if [[ $(pwd) == /mnt/c/Users/mostlikely-your-pc-name ]]
then
    cd ~
fi

[mhbig]

I had the same problem.
It seems that the directory path notation has changed from slash to backslash.
Before: //wsl$/linux-distro/home/user
After: \\wsl$\linux-distro\home\user

[freekvh]

I had the same issue, ticking "Use parent process directory" indeed fixes the described error but starts my shell in /mnt/c/WINDOWS/system32 which I don't like. Manually setting it to:

//wsl$/Ubuntu-20.04/home/linuxUsername

Sets the start dir to my Linux user's home dir ~/ as it should be.

[mohlatif227]

I was able to solve this by going into the windows terminal settings, going to the ubuntu profile, and ticking the "Use parent process directory" box. No idea why that worked. It's also worth noting that this occurred to me right after a reboot.

Thanks a lot, it did work for me.

[nikoandpiko]

I was able to solve this by going into the windows terminal settings, going to the ubuntu profile, and ticking the "Use parent process directory" box. No idea why that worked. It's also worth noting that this occurred to me right after a reboot.

Worked for me, but it started me on System32. Went back into settings and unchecked "User parent process directory". Loaded another tab and it is back to working normally as it did previously with the correct profile loaded.

[ssaroshhasan]

Just go to Windows Terminal>Settings>Ubuntu and replace the starting directory field with Z:\home\username (replace Z: with whatever drive your WSL is mapped on and username with the relevant username/folder name).

[jespadas]

Edit again: This seems to happen if you have a custom startup directory - I did since I don't want to start my Linux in the windows %USERPROFILE% every time. However, If I tick the box, then untick and set the "\wsl$\Ubuntu\blahblah\home" path to my home directory manually again it all works as before, and I start up in the correct (Linux) home dir.

Thanks. This worked for me.

I added a few lines to my .zshrc/.bashrc that references my %USERPROFILE% variable. If we end up there, navigate to where we want the default to be instead. Replace ~ with your desired start directory.

if [[ $(pwd) == /mnt/c/Users/mostlikely-your-pc-name ]]
then
    cd ~
fi

This one works for me, better to start at home directory.

[alecthegeek]

I ticked "Use parent process directory" but left command line as wsl.exe ~ -d Debian and no further changes were required.

Thanks for the info

[bn-l]

I was able to solve this by going into the windows terminal settings, going to the ubuntu profile, and ticking the "Use parent process directory" box. No idea why that worked. It's also worth noting that this occurred to me right after a reboot.

Just adding another voice here. Had the same problem and this worked for me.