Multiple Ubuntu instances on WSL?

vett93 · Apr 29, 2024

Is it possible to have two (or more) Ubuntu instances on WSL? Fixing virtual instances on WSL is a major pain. So I want to create an experimental Ubuntu instance on WSL. Then I can experiment risky features there first before putting them on my regular WSL Ubuntu instance.

pparks1 · Apr 30, 2024

Yes, it's possible. Look at the wsl import command.

vett93 · Apr 30, 2024

pparks1 said:
Yes, it's possible. Look at the wsl import command.

My question is about if I can have two distributions at the same time. I am not sure if it is related to wsl import command....

PGHammer · May 1, 2024

vett93 said:
Is it possible to have two (or more) Ubuntu instances on WSL? Fixing virtual instances on WSL is a major pain. So I want to create an experimental Ubuntu instance on WSL. Then I can experiment risky features there first before putting them on my regular WSL Ubuntu instance.

It is , I used to have three.I will have two on my refurbished Dell Optiplex.

vett93 · May 2, 2024

PGHammer said:
It is , I used to have three.I will have two on my refurbished Dell Optiplex.

Can you elaborate how you did it? Say, I want to run Ubuntu 22.04LTS as instance 1 and another Ubuntu 22.04LTS as instance 2. Thanks.

garlin · May 2, 2024

This article might help:
How To Use Multiple WSL Instances For Development

PGHammer · May 2, 2024

vett93 said:
Can you elaborate how you did it? Say, I want to run Ubuntu 22.04LTS as instance 1 and another Ubuntu 22.04LTS as instance 2. Thanks.

HyperV in both cases, desktop intially and laptop later, and currently. In short, old school as it gets. Virtualization in Microsoft operating systems goes back to LAN Manager, OS/2, and Windows NT.