How to view all Linux distros installed on WSL for Windows 11

• Windows 11 includes built-in WSL commands to list installed Linux distributions.
• Use wsl --list --all to view every distro available on your device.
• Use wsl --list --running to see which Linux distributions are currently active.
• The same commands also work on Windows 10.

On Windows 11, you can quickly view all the Linux distributions installed through the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), and in this guide, I’ll show you how.

Checking which WSL distros are installed can be useful in various situations. For example, you may want to confirm which distributions are available on your device, verify whether a specific Linux distro is installed, or find the exact distribution name before exporting, importing, setting a default distro, or uninstalling it.

Whatever the reason, Windows 11 includes built-in WSL commands that allow you to generate a complete list of installed Linux distributions in seconds.

In this guide, I’ll teach you the steps to view every Linux distro available through the Windows Subsystem for Linux.

List all Linux distros installed on WSL

To see all of the WSL Linux distros installed on Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Open Start on Windows 11.

2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

3. Type the following command to see a list of the installed Linux distros and press Enter:

   wsl --list --all

   

   Quick tip: You can also write the command as wsl -l –all. The output will display the names and states of the Linux distributions registered with WSL on your device.

4. (Optional) Type the following command to view a list of running distros and press Enter:

   wsl --list --running

   Quick tip: You can also write the command as wsl -l –running.

Once you complete the steps, the command will output the distros installed (and running) on Windows 11.

This guide focuses on Windows 11, but you can use the commands on Windows 10 as well.

Pureinfotech’s Take

I don’t use these commands every day, but they’re among the most useful WSL tools when managing multiple Linux distributions. It’s easy to forget what you’ve installed over time, and a quick command gives you the exact information you need before changing or removing a distro.

I also appreciate that Microsoft has kept WSL management straightforward. Rather than adding another settings page, a simple command does the job faster and with less friction.

Do you use multiple Linux distributions on WSL, or do you stick with a single distro? Let me know in the comments.