How to Rename WSL Distros on Windows

Sometimes, it's convenient to rename your WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) distros for better identification. Renaming a distro makes it easier to manage multiple distributions. Follow these steps to rename a WSL distro:

Step 1: Stop All Running WSL Instances

Before making any changes, stop all running instances of WSL.

wsl --shutdown

Step 2: Open the Registry Editor

Open the Registry Editor by searching for it in the Start menu.

Step 3: Navigate to the WSL Distro Registry

In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Lxss

Each subfolder under Lxss represents a different WSL distro.

Step 4: Find and Edit the DistributionName

Open the subfolder corresponding to the distro you want to rename. You'll find a value called DistributionName. This is the current name of your distro.

Step 5: Rename the Distro

Double-click DistributionName and change it to your desired name. Click "OK" to confirm.

Step 6: Restart Your Computer

After making the changes, restart your computer to apply them.

Step 7: Verify the Changes

Once your computer has restarted, run the following command to see the updated distro name:

wsl -l

Your renamed distro should now appear in the list of available distros.

All set! Your WSL distro has been successfully renamed.