3 Methods to Uninstall Ubuntu from WSL

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Uninstalling Ubuntu on Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a straightforward process that involves removing the Linux distribution from your Windows environment. WSL provides seamless integration of a Linux-like environment within Windows, but if you no longer need or wish to use Ubuntu on WSL, uninstalling it can free up resources and disk space on your system.

There are 3 different methods of WSL to uninstall Ubuntu from Windows 10 and 11. They are:

1. Uninstall Ubuntu from WSL Using the Start Menu

Using the Start menu is one of the easiest ways to uninstall Ubuntu from WSL. Follow the below steps:

1. Search “Ubuntu” in the Start menu.
2. Click on “Uninstall” in the right pane.
3. Again, click on “Uninstall” in the confirmation prompt.

This will uninstall Ubuntu and its related information from the WSL.

2. Uninstall Ubuntu from WSL Using Settings

Uninstalling Ubuntu from WSL using Settings of Windows is a method that can remove Ubuntu from WSL with all the information and configuration files. To do that, follow the below steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Search “Ubuntu”.
4. Select the Ubuntu icon and click on Uninstall.
5. Search “windows”.
6. Click on Uninstall for Windows Subsystem for Linux advance option and Windows Subsystem for Linux with version number.

This will uninstall Ubuntu and WSL with all related information and configuration.

3. Uninstall Ubuntu from WSL Using PowerShell / Command Prompt

To uninstall Ubuntu from WSL using commands, follow the steps below:

1. Open PowerShell / Command Prompt with administrative permission.
2. Check the installed WSL using:

   wsl –list

3. Uninstall the Ubuntu using:

   wsl –unregister <distro name>

   Note: Use the full name of the Ubuntu distro in this command that you get in step 3. The distro name is case-sensitive.
   

This will remove Ubuntu and its related information from the WSL. You can use wsl –list to verify the uninstallation.

Uninstall Ubuntu from WSL2

Uninstalling Ubuntu from WSL2 requires the same process described above as WSL1. That is:

1. Go to Settings>App and uninstall the Ubuntu app.
2. Open the PowerShell / command prompt in administrative mode and run wsl --unregister <ubuntu distro full name>.

Conclusion

In conclusion, removing Ubuntu from Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a straightforward process. Utilize Windows PowerShell or Settings of your Windows for the purpose. The methods shown here enable users to efficiently remove Ubuntu from their WSL environments and streamline the WSL workflows.

People Also Ask

How do I delete a WSL distro?

To delete a WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) distro, follow the steps:

1. Open PowerShell or Command Prompt.
2. To get the exact name of the installed distro, run wsl -l -v.
3. Runl wsl --unregister <distro name>. Replace <distro name> with the name of the distro you want to delete

How to Uninstall Ubuntu from the terminal?

To uninstall Ubuntu from the terminal of Windows, follow the steps below:

1. Open the PowerShell terminal.
2. To get the name of the installed distro, run wsl -l -v.
3. Run wsl --unregister <distro name>. Replace <distro name> with the full name of the Ubuntu distro you want to uninstall.

How do I Uninstall Ubuntu from Windows?

To uninstall Ubuntu from Windows, go to Settings > Apps and search “Ubuntu”. Then click on the Ubuntu icon and select Uninstall. Another way to uninstall Ubuntu from Windows is: open Windows PowerShell and execute wsl –unregister <full name of the Ubuntu distro>.

Related Articles

• How to Install Ubuntu in WSL 1 in Just 3 Steps
• How to Install Ubuntu in WSL2 in Just 3 Steps
• How to Install Ubuntu in WSL Using GUI [3 Steps]

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