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philthethrill's avatar
philthethrill
Copper Contributor
Jan 22, 2022

Windows Subsystem for Linux Preview Can't Find the File Specified

I downloaded the Windows Subsystem for Linux Preview from the Microsoft Store last year, and it said "The system cannot find the file specified." I downloaded the update today, and it said the same thing. What am I missing? I already left feedback on the Feedback Hub 2 months ago. 

 

  • Little_Joe's avatar
    Little_Joe
    Bronze Contributor

    Hello,
    Have you tried to install the standard version by using wsl or bash command? To verify whether this version works normally...

    • philthethrill's avatar
      philthethrill
      Copper Contributor
      I have WSL installed, and I got the WSLg preview update on Thursday from Windows Update. I have tried different Linux terminal apps from the Microsoft Store like Debian, Ubuntu, OpenSuse, and Pengwin, and all of them work really well.

      After the latest Windows Update, I was able to download and update apps in the Microsoft Store, but the WSL preview app still gives me the same error message that it can't find the file specified.
    • philthethrill's avatar
      philthethrill
      Copper Contributor
      I already had Windows Subsystem for Linux installed long before the Windows Store option became available. Any other suggestions?
      • Harm_Veenstra's avatar
        Harm_Veenstra
        MVP
        https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/issues/7626

        - Make sure that File Explorer is set to show hidden and system files.
        - Open File Explorer to C:\Program Files\
        - Right-click WindowsApps and open properties, then open the advanced security options.
        - Remove any specific user accounts (usually with Full Control) from the list and click Apply.
        - Click "Change" next to the "Owner:" line and accept the UAC dialog.
        - Paste NT SERVICE\TrustedInstaller into the box, then click "Check Names" and OK.
        - Check the box next to "Replace owner on subcontianers and objects" and click OK.
        - In an elevated PowerShell window, run Remove-AppxPackage (get-appxpackage MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemforLinux -Allusers) -AllUsers
        - Reinstall the WSL Preview app from the Microsoft Store https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/windows-subsystem-for-linux-preview/9p9tqf7mrm4r
        - To check the permissions, run get-acl "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemforLinux_0.48.2.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\wsl.exe" | Format-List and make sure that it is owned by NT SERVICE\TrustedInstaller and that your user account does not have access.

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