How to Easily Rename WSL Distros on Windows

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.