Creating a link between local Windows files and WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) is a useful way to share files between the two environments.

In this guide, I’ll show how to link a folder in Windows to your WSL instance using the ln command, and also explain how to remove a linked folder.

> Create a New Linked Folder for WSL
> Create and Modify Files in the Linked Folder
> Remove a Linked Folder
> Final Thoughts

Create a New Linked Folder for WSL

The ln command in Linux is used to create links between files. In this example, we’ll use a symbolic link to share a folder between the Windows file system and WSL.

First, ensure that you’re familiar with the /mnt/c path, which is where your C: drive is mounted in WSL.

To link a folder from Windows (e.g., a projects folder on your C: drive), use the following command:

# Create sym link wsl to the projects folder
ln -s /mnt/c/projects

The -s flag creates a symbolic link (as opposed to a hard link), allowing you to access the folder in both WSL and Windows.

Create and Modify Files in the Linked Folder

Once the link is created, you can create a folder or a file within your WSL environment that is directly tied to your Windows file system.

For example, in the screenshot below I’m creating a new file within the linked folder:

This has created a folder and a file within the linked projects folder, which is located on my Windows file system.

You can view and modify these files from either Windows or WSL.

Remove a Linked Folder

If you no longer need the link, you can easily remove it. First, list the files to check for existing links, then use the rm command to delete the symbolic link:

# List files in the linked folder to confirm the link
ls -lai ~/projects

# Remove the symbolic link (only deletes the link)
rm ~/projects

Note that using rm only removes the symbolic link in the WSL environment; the original folder and files on your Windows drive remain intact:

Final Thoughts

Creating links between local Windows files and WSL is a simple and effective way to share files between the two environments. However, it’s important to note that using mounted Windows drives for version-controlled projects can lead to issues, like chmod errors.

For smoother operation, it’s best to create rule-based links or store version-controlled projects in the Linux file system. This method provides flexibility for working across both environments while maintaining a stable workflow.

Accessing local Windows files from a WSL distribution allows integration between workflows, our local Windows environment and (WSL) Linux environments.

This is done by navigating to the /mnt/c/ directory within your WSL Linux terminal.
Alternatively, you can enter WSL directly from any Windows directory using a terminal. Both approaches provide straightforward ways to integrate your workflows across both platforms.

Additionally, for more advanced workflows, you can create a symbolic link between Windows and WSL directories. Check out my other post, Create a Link Between Local Windows Files and WSL, for a detailed guide.

Navigate in Terminal to /mnt/c/

In a WSL environment, Windows drives are mounted under the /mnt/ directory. For example, the C: drive is accessible at /mnt/c/.

Here’s how you can navigate and interact with local Windows files:

# navigate to home (wsl) linux folder
cd ~

# navigate c:\temp folder on local windows computer
cd /mnt/c/temp

In the example above, we accessed the C:\temp folder from within the WSL environment. The /mnt/ directory reflects the local Windows drives, allowing you to browse and manipulate files seamlessly.

Open WSL from PowerShell with a Specific Directory

You can also launch WSL directly from a PowerShell terminal while being in any Windows directory.

This method sets the active path in WSL to match the directory you’re working in from Windows. Here’s an example:

# create folder and go to it
mkdir C:\temp\newfolder
cd C:\temp\newfolder

# enter wsl
wsl

Once inside WSL, your default Linux distribution will start, and the working directory will be mounted at the corresponding path, in this case, /mnt/c/temp/newfolder. This is an efficient way to ensure your Linux session begins in a specific Windows directory.

This guide walks you through reinstalling a WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) distribution via command line. This can be useful if you want to reset your WSL environment for a fresh start.

Before proceeding, ensure you back up any important work to Git or another storage solution.

1. List Installed WSL Distributions

To see the names of installed WSL distributions, run:

wsl -l

This command displays a list of available WSL distros on your system, which you’ll need for uninstallation.

2. Uninstall or Unregister a WSL Distro

Caution: Unregistering a WSL distribution will permanently delete all its data, settings, and software. Reinstalling the distribution from the store will provide a clean instance.

To unregister (uninstall) a specific distribution, replace <distro-name> with the name of your distro:

wsl --unregister <distro-name>

3. Reinstalling a WSL Distribution

To reinstall Ubuntu (or any other distro) on WSL:

Via Command Line:
– Download and install the distribution using its .exe file.
– Run the command and follow the prompts to enter a new username and password.

Example for Ubuntu installation:

Via Microsoft Store:
Search for and install your desired Linux distribution.