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List WSL Distributions with wsl --list --verbose

The one command that shows every installed distro, its WSL version, which is running, and which is default.

WindowswslclilinuxLow risk
Run wsl --list --verbose (or wsl -l -v) to enumerate distros with state and version; use wsl --set-default <name> to change the default.

01Command

Command
$ wsl --list --verbose

02What it does

The plain wsl -l output hides the two facts you usually need: whether a distro runs under WSL 1 or 2, and which one opens when you type wsl. The -v flag adds both, and it also exposes distros mid-conversion (installing/uninstalling states). Its output is UTF-16 encoded, which is why piping it into other tools sometimes produces garbage unless you handle the encoding.

03Risk

RiskLow risk
RequirementsWSL feature installed (wsl --install enables it)

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

  • Basic WSL commands for Windows
    Microsoft Learn · vendor-doc · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Documents wsl --list --verbose for listing installed distributions with their WSL version and running state, plus --set-default and related management commands.

Last verified: 2026-09-17 · Category: Developer