Forum Discussion
Byron Boudreaux
Nov 24, 2020Copper Contributor
WSL 2 not working after installing 20262
Just getting involved with Insider Preview...upgraded 2019 Datacenter (latest official release) to 20262. After the upgrade, downloaded and ran the Linux Kernel update package. When running WSL comma...
Mary Hoffman
Microsoft
Feb 10, 2021LubomirH It is my opinion that it is unlikely that WSL will be included in the final Windows Server product as it was was not included in Windows Server 2019. The investigation on this issue is ongoing and I hope to have a more complete answer for you soon. We do recommend upgrading to the latest preview build in order to pick up all the recent fixes and updates.
LubomirH
Feb 10, 2021Brass Contributor
I am confused.
Isn't WSL part of the server since Windows Server 2019 (version 1709)?
It is at least written in the guide Install the Linux Subsystem on Windows Server | Microsoft Docs
And I could also find the WSL feature on the Windows Server 2019 LTSC (version 1809)
Am I missing something between the lines?
thanks
Lubomir
- Mary HoffmanFeb 10, 2021
Microsoft
LubomirH WSL was only available in the Semi-Annual Channel releases, not Windows Server LTSC. What may be confusing is that there was an 1809 version of both SAC and LTSC - they were released at the same time.
- aPinatFeb 19, 2021Copper Contributor
I don't think this is quite right. WSL(1) was indeed available in Windows Server 2019 LTSC and I was able to use it perfectly fine. WSL2 on the other hand wasn't, because it simply did not exist back then yet.
Also, WSL2 was backported to Windows 10 Versions 1903 and 1909 a while ago (WSL 2 Support is coming to Windows 10 Versions 1903 and 1909), but not the Windows Server 2019 LTSC, which is based on Windows 10 version 1809.
WSL2 then worked perfectly for the first early LTSC preview builds, but then suddenly stopped working once the flighting branch was changed to "fe_release[_server]" in build 20246 onwards. Main Windows 10 Insider Preview also switched branches there (Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 20246 | Windows Insider Blog). WSL1 however appears to continue to work just fine.
I had opened a GitHub issue about this a while ago: WSL 2 broken on Windows Server Preview (since change to fe_release branch) · Issue #6301 · microsoft/WSL (github.com)
- tbertenshawMar 03, 2021Copper Contributor
Any news on if WSL2 is in this new preview of Windows Server 2022?
- Dr_HarryFeb 14, 2021Copper Contributor
Mary HoffmanWe need a proper desktop environment, and CUDA support on a command line (e.g. for tensorflow or Docker or other Linux command line applications that need GPU acceleration). So we need WSL2. Strangely, Microsoft offers this option on Windows 10 but not Windows Server. (At the same time, Windows 10 and Windows 10 Pro for Workstation do not allow multiple users to logon simultaneously, so we cannot use them). There was a glimmer of hope with WSL2 support in the early vNext versions of Windows Server 2022, so we started using it, tolerating all the bugs. Now, Microsoft appears to be dropping the ball again, by dropping WSL2 support from Windows Server LTSC entirely... I am not sure why such strange decisions are being made. If we want multiple users + a desktop environment + CUDA on a command line, we are out of luck. Microsoft is leaving us without any option here, other than a full Linux desktop.
- LubomirHFeb 14, 2021Brass Contributor
I see, but there wasn't any new LTSC version of server released since WS2019 (1809), so it is clear that WSL2 was released only in the SAC.
AFAIK the WS2022 is being developed in the same cycle as the Windows 10 and Windows Server 21H2.
If that is true, there is quite a big chance WSL2 will be part of the WS2022, when released.
Well, unless the product team decides to remove it, not include it or simply not support it.
If nothing goes wrong the WS2022 will be here in few months, so there isn't much time left for the decision to be made.
When it will be announced what will be part of the LTSC and what will be deprecated?
thanks
Lubomir
- tbertenshawFeb 14, 2021Copper Contributor
@Mary Hoffman Is it possible to extend the life of the last WSL2 release (20241) until it returns to the releases?
Really need WSL2 and really don't want to revert to windows 10.