Removing WSL from Windows 11 isn’t as complicated as it might seem at first glance, but it can still catch people off guard if they don’t do it thoroughly. Maybe you’re tired of maintaining Linux on your Windows machine, or perhaps WSL just started acting weird and you want a fresh start. Either way, doing the full uninstall means more than just disabling the feature — you want to clear out any leftover files and make sure no stray bits are hanging around that could cause issues later. This guide will walk through the most reliable way to get rid of WSL cleanly. On some setups, restarting after each step helps ensure nothing’s left behind that could mess with your system later.
Uninstalling WSL in Windows 11
Locate and disable WSL through Windows Features
This step is about flipping the switch in Windows that turns WSL on or off. To get there, right-click the Start button and select Apps and Features. From there, click on Optional Features—it’s usually below the main list. Scroll until you see Windows Subsystem for Linux. Click it to open the Windows Features dialog—your target for disabling WSL. Be aware that because of how Windows handles system features, you might need to jump into Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off if that’s easier. It’s kind of weird, but both ways work.
Turn off WSL and restart
- Uncheck Windows Subsystem for Linux. This stops WSL services and prevents it from running.
- You’ll likely get a prompt saying you need to restart for changes to apply—don’t ignore it. This restart isn’t just for show; it actually disables the subsystem properly, especially on newer builds where WSL 2 can be a bit stubborn. After reboot, WSL should be off and inactivated.
After rebooting, if WSL isn’t totally disabled, check your PowerShell or Command Prompt with admin rights and run wsl --shutdown. Sometimes that’s needed to fully stop all running WSL instances.
Remove installed Linux distributions
Next, you want to make sure all Linux distros are gone. Head over to Apps & Features again, and search for anything with a name like “Ubuntu, ” “Debian, ” or whatever distro you installed. Click Uninstall on each one. It’s a simple way to tidy up, but note: this deletes the files inside those Linux environments, so back up anything important before doing this. If WSL was running in the background, some distros might still look like they’re available until you remove them.
Reboot again — the crucial step
Yep, another restart. Not sure why it works, but on some machines, if you skip this step, leftover files and configs can hang around. Restarting flushes out the temporary stuff and ensures your system isn’t holding onto any stray WSL bits.
Manually delete leftover files (optional but recommended)
If you’re feeling super thorough, navigate to C:\Users\yourusername\AppData\Local\Packages and look for folders related to Linux distros—like CanonicalGroupLimited. UbuntuonWindows_79rhkp1fndgsc or similar names. Delete those folders if they’re still there. Additionally, check for leftover WSL files in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WSL and delete those too. Because Windows has to make it harder than necessary, sometimes these remain even after uninstalling.
Just keep in mind, deleting files manually could mess things up if you’re not careful, but it’s how you make sure WSL leaves no trace behind.
Tips for Uninstalling WSL in Windows 11
- Back up your Linux files before you start — you don’t wanna lose anything important.
- Close all terminals or apps using WSL beforehand; it makes the process smoother.
- Check your installed distributions if you plan to reinstall later. Keep a list if you wanna add them back quickly.
- Be aware of apps or workflows that depend on WSL, so you don’t break things accidentally.
- If you’re a command line junkie, you can verify WSL components with commands like
systeminfo | findstr /I WSLor check running services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I disable WSL?
Disabling WSL stops all Linux distros from running and frees up resources. It’s reversible — just re-enable it if needed.
Can I reinstall WSL later?
Absolutely. Just go back into Optional Features or run Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux in PowerShell as admin, then restart.
Will uninstalling WSL delete my Linux files?
Yes, removing the distros deletes their files. Make sure you backup anything you need beforehand.
Do I need admin rights?
Yep, full admin privileges are a must for system feature changes and uninstalling stuff.
Can I remove WSL without restarting?
Best practice says no—restart is recommended to avoid weird stuff. Sometimes, even on the same machine, skipping a restart means Windows keeps bits of WSL hanging around.
Summary
- Open Windows Features or Control Panel.
- Uncheck Windows Subsystem for Linux and restart.
- Uninstall Linux distros from Apps & Features.
- Restart again to clear out lingering processes.
- Optional: delete leftover WSL files from system folders.
Wrap-up
Getting rid of WSL isn’t necessarily tricky, but it’s easy to leave little crumbs behind if you aren’t careful. Doing the full removal — disabling WSL, uninstalling distros, and cleaning files — will make sure your system’s tidy. Sometimes, one restart isn’t enough, so don’t skip that if things seem stuck. Hopefully, this clears out the confusion and saves a headache or two.