This PowerShell script automates the setup of Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) with Ubuntu 20.04. It enables the required system features, sets WSL 2 as the default version, installs Ubuntu 20.04 via Winget if not already present, and configures it as the default distribution. Ideal for post-format automation and developer workstation setup.

README.md

configure_wsl.ps1

This PowerShell script automates the setup of Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) with Ubuntu 20.04.

🧩 What it does

• Enables WSL and Virtual Machine Platform features.
• Sets WSL 2 as the default version.
• Installs Ubuntu 20.04 LTS using Winget (if not already installed).
• Sets Ubuntu 20.04 as the default WSL distribution.

⚙️ Prerequisites

• Windows 10 (version 2004 or later) or Windows 11
• PowerShell running as Administrator
• Internet connection
• Winget installed (comes pre-installed on modern Windows)

🚀 How to use

1. Download the configure_wsl.ps1 script.
2. Open PowerShell as Administrator.
3. Run the script:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File configure_wsl.ps1

📁 Recommended structure

You can include this script as part of a full system automation process (e.g., with a .bat file for reinstalling apps and restoring configs).

✅ License

MIT License — feel free to use and modify.

configure_wsl.ps1

# Script: configure_wsl.ps1
# Purpose: Automates basic WSL setup with Ubuntu

Write-Host "Starting WSL configuration..."

# Enable required features
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Hyper-V-All /all /norestart
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:HypervisorPlatform /all /norestart

# Base WSL setup (no distro)
wsl.exe --install --no-distribution

# Set WSL 2 as the default version
wsl --set-default-version 2

# Install Ubuntu 20.04 if not installed
Write-Host "Checking Ubuntu 20.04 installation..."
$ubuntuInstalled = wsl --list --online | Select-String "Ubuntu-20.04"

if (-not $ubuntuInstalled) {
    Write-Host "Installing Ubuntu 20.04 via winget..."
    winget install --id=Canonical.Ubuntu.2004 -e --silent
} else {
    Write-Host "Ubuntu 20.04 already listed as available online."
}

# Wait a moment to ensure registration
Start-Sleep -Seconds 3

# List installed distros and set the first Ubuntu distro found as default
$distrosRaw = wsl --list --quiet
$distros = $distrosRaw | ForEach-Object { $_.Trim() } | Where-Object { $_ -like "*Ubuntu*" }

if ($distros.Count -gt 0) {
    $defaultDistro = $distros[0]
    Write-Host "Setting '$defaultDistro' as the default WSL distro..."
    wsl --set-default "$defaultDistro"
} else {
    Write-Host "No Ubuntu distribution found to set as default."
    Write-Host "If installation failed with error 0x80370114, ensure virtualization is enabled in your BIOS."
    Write-Host "Instructions: https://aka.ms/enablevirtualization"
}

Write-Host "WSL configuration completed!"