Release notes for Ubuntu on WSL¶
This page includes:
Upgrade instructions for Ubuntu on WSL¶
The default Ubuntu distro for WSL (wsl --install Ubuntu) always ships the
latest stable LTS release, which can be upgraded once the first point release
of a new LTS is available:
$ sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
$ do-release-upgrade
By default, Ubuntu distros downloaded as explicitly numbered releases (wsl --install Ubuntu-24.04) will not be upgraded in this manner, unless the
following configuration change is made:
- Prompt=never
+ Prompt=normal
Latest supported releases¶
LTS is recommended for Ubuntu on WSL
We recommend LTS versions of Ubuntu on WSL, which receive standard support for five years.
You can try interim releases of Ubuntu but they are not recommended for production.
Ubuntu on WSL distro (LTS)¶
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat)¶
Cloud-init support¶
cloud-init is the industry standard multi-distribution method for cross-platform cloud instance initialisation. It is supported across all major public cloud providers, provisioning systems for private cloud infrastructure, and bare-metal installations.
With cloud-init on WSL you can now automatically and reproducibly configure your WSL instances on first boot. Make the first steps with this guide.
New documentation¶
The documentation specific to Ubuntu on WSL is available on Read the Docs. This evolving project is regularly updated with new content about Ubuntu’s specifics on WSL.
Reduced footprint¶
Experience faster download and installation times with 24.04, with a 200MB reduction in image size.
Systemd by default¶
systemd is now enabled by default even when the instance is launched directly from a terminal with the wsl.exe command or from an imported root files system.
Point release changes¶
24.04.3¶
WSL setup: remove the
systemd-binfmt.serviceoverride after WSL implemented a more robust binfmt protection mechanism. (wsl-setup/#11)WSL setup: Fix an issue when the Windows user name contains non-ASCII characters (wsl-setup/#23)
24.04.2¶
24.04.1¶
WSL setup: Override cloud-init default_user configuration for Ubuntu distros to prevent creation of a default user which confused WSLg (2065349)
Ubuntu Pro for WSL¶
Version 1.0¶
The first public release of Pro for WSL introduces turnkey security maintenance and enterprise support for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS running on WSL, and enables the effective management of Ubuntu on WSL by system administrators.
Automatic Pro attachment of Ubuntu instances¶
Once installed and configured with a Pro token, Pro for WSL runs in the background of the Windows machine, automatically detecting and Pro-attaching instances of Ubuntu on WSL.
Landscape integration for remote management of WSL¶
Landscape can register Windows machines in which the Pro for WSL application has been configured to connect to the Landscape server.
Using the Landscape dashboard or API, system administrators can then monitor, secure, and provision instances of Ubuntu on WSL across fleets of Windows machines.
Multiple configuration methods¶
Pro for WSL offers two approaches to configure Pro-attachment and Landscape-integration:
The Windows registry is the best option for system administrators who need to develop scalable deployment flows for over 5 Windows machines with an enterprise Pro subscription.
The Graphical application is suitable for individual users who want to secure their own device with a free Pro subscription and the free Pro for WSL app.
Comprehensive documentation¶
Supporting documentation is available for getting started using Pro for WSL and configuring a Pro subscription. An architectural overview of Pro for WSL is also provided.
Previous LTS distro releases¶
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish)
22.04
Various bug fixes relating to the installer, UI and profile page
Point release changes
22.04.4, 22.04.5
None
22.04.3
Fix for get_ppid() not working on WSL
22.04.2
Cherry-pick upstream patch to use more portable alignment to resolve failure to execute on WSL 1.
22.04.1
Fixes and improvements to the store listing, slide show and release upgrader policy.
Interim distro releases¶
Click to expand for 25.10 (Questing Quokka), and more…
Ubuntu 25.10 (Questing Quokka)
None
Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin)
Published WSL images have moved to cdimage.ubuntu.com (previously on cloud-images.ubuntu.com).
Ubuntu 24.10 (Oracular Oriole)
None