How to Completely Uninstall WSL on Windows 10 & 11

WSL is great if you want a Linux environment on your Windows machine. But maybe you tried it and it’s not for you, or you want a clean slate. Whatever your reason, here’s how you completely remove WSL from your Windows 10 or Windows 11 system.

This guide shows you step-by-step how to uninstall not just the Linux distros, but WSL itself—leaving nothing behind.

Step 1: Uninstall Your Linux Distros

First, you need to remove any installed Linux distributions (like Ubuntu, Debian, etc.).

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator
   • Press Start, type PowerShell, right-click, and choose “Run as administrator”.
2. List Installed Distros
   Type:
   wsl --list --all
   or, for older versions:
   wsl -l -v
3. Unregister Each Distro
   For each distro, type:
   wsl --unregister <DistroName>
   Replace <DistroName> with the actual name (e.g., Ubuntu).

Step 2: Uninstall WSL Components

For Windows 11 or Windows 10 (Version 2004 and Later)

Option 1: Using Settings

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps
   • Search for “Windows Subsystem for Linux” (or “WSL”).
   • Click the three dots and choose “Uninstall”.
2. Also Remove Any Linux Distros Listed
   • Look for any Linux distro (e.g., “Ubuntu”) and uninstall them too.

Option 2: Using Optional Features

1. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off
   • Uncheck:
     • “Windows Subsystem for Linux”
     • “Virtual Machine Platform”
     • “Windows Hypervisor Platform” (if checked)
   • Click “OK” and restart your PC.

Step 3: Clean Up Leftover Files

1. Delete WSL-related Folders
   • Open File Explorer and go to:
     C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Packages
   • Delete any folders starting with CanonicalGroupLimited... (for Ubuntu) or any other Linux distro names.
2. (Optional) Remove .wslconfig File
   • If you created a .wslconfig in your user folder, delete it:
     C:\Users\<YourUsername>\.wslconfig

Step 4: Remove Leftover Network Interfaces (Optional)

Sometimes WSL leaves behind virtual network adapters.

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator
   • Type:
     Get-NetAdapter | Where-Object {$_.Name -like "*WSL*"}
   • For each, type:
     Remove-NetAdapter -Name "<AdapterName>" -Confirm:$false

That’s It. WSL Is Gone.

You’ve fully removed WSL from your Windows system. If you ever want it back, just reinstall via the Microsoft Store or the Windows Features menu.

Have questions or run into issues? Drop a comment below and I’ll help you out.

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!