Backup and Restore WSL Distributions
![Backup and Restore WSL Distributions](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/07/backup-restore-wsl-distro.png)
When you are exploring Linux, sometimes you make changes that have unintended consequences.
You may reinstall Linux easily with WSL, but you’ll lose the existing data and configuration you had on it.
Thankfully, WSL allows you to export your Linux distro as a tar file and import it later. This is equivalent to a backup and restore feature.
Let’s see how it is done.
Export a WSL Linux distribution
In WSL, you have the option to export a distribution to a TAR file, along with the configurations and settings intact.
First, list all the installed WSL distributions on your system using:
wsl -l -v
![Backup and Restore WSL Distributions](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/04/list-installed-distributions-using-powershell-or-terminal-1.webp)
As you can see, I have an Ubuntu distribution installed, Ubuntu. You should note the name of the distribution that you want to export. It should be case-sensitive and exact.
Here, I am going to take a backup of Ubuntu.
Step 1: Create a folder for backups and open a terminal there
It will be convenient if you have a dedicated folder to save all the backups. It is not necessary, but can be beneficial. I have created a folder on D: called WSL_backups
.
![Backup and Restore WSL Distributions](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/04/open-a-terminal-in-backup-folder-2.png)
Now, go inside that folder and right-click on a blank space. Select โOpen in Terminalโ to open a terminal on that directory.
Step 2: Create the backup
Once you are in a terminal, run the command:
wsl --export Ubuntu Ubuntu.tar
This will create a backup of the specified Linux distribution.
![Backup and Restore WSL Distributions](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/04/take-a-backup-of-ubuntu.png)
The general syntax is:
wsl --export <distribution_name> <filename.tar>
Where, the distribution_name
should be the same as the output of the wsl -l -v
command.
If you open that location, you can see that a backup is created, with ~2 GB space.
Import WSL distribution
Now, it’s time to import the distribution. Before moving to it, you should make sure that the distribution you are trying to import is completely uninstalled from your system. For this, use the command:
wsl -l -v
![Backup and Restore WSL Distributions](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/04/no-installed-distribution.png)
Step 1: Create an installation folder
Similar to the backup, it is wise to create a proper place for all the imported distributions.
Now, open a terminal in the location where you have created the backup file. In my case, it is the WSL_backups
folder.
![Backup and Restore WSL Distributions](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/04/open-a-terminal-in-backup-folder-3.png)
Step 2: Import the distribution
Inside the terminal, run the command,
wsl --import <Distribution Name> <InstallLocation> <FileName>
In my case, I have created a folder on my D Drive called the D:wsl-installationsUbuntu
folder. So, the command will be:
wsl --import Ubuntu 'D:wsl-installationsUbuntu' .Ubuntu.tar
![Backup and Restore WSL Distributions](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/04/import-a-distribution.png)
I have used .Ubuntu.tar
as the file name because I am running the wsl
command from the directory where the Ubuntu.tar
backup file is stored (WSL-backups folder for me).
You have successfully imported the distribution!
To check, use the command wsl -l -v
.
Step 3: Open the imported distribution
Once you have imported the distribution, you may not find it in the start menu to open it easily. So, to enter into it open a terminal and use the command:
wsl -d <distribution_name>
OR
wsl -d Ubuntu
This will open the distribution as root user.
![Backup and Restore WSL Distributions](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/04/whoami-root-user.png)
If you want to log in as the default user created during installation, either use the command inside the distribution:
su <username>
Or, open the WSL distribution with specified user:
wsl -d <distribution_name> -u <username>
OR
wsl -d Ubuntu -u team
Step 4: Set default user
To log in to the default user each time you open the distribution, you need to edit a configuration file. So, inside the distribution, that is logged in as root, edit the /etc/wsl.conf
file.
nano /etc/wsl.conf
If you have logged in as a normal user, you need to use sudo
to edit the file. i.e.
sudo nano /etc/wsl.conf
Inside this file, add the following line:
[user]
default = <username>
Fill the <username>
with the one you have to log in, that is already on that system.
![Backup and Restore WSL Distributions](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2024/04/default-username-in-wsl-conf.png)
Once edited, save and exit nano by pressing CTRL + x
. Confirm using y
and press enter. Now, terminate the system. You can do this from a new Windows terminal:
wsl --terminate Ubuntu
Or, from within that distribution:
wsl.exe --terminate Ubuntu
Thereafter, reopen the distribution using:
wsl ~ -d Ubuntu
This will open Ubuntu with the username you have provided.
wsl ~
will open the home directory of the default user, instead of the current Windows directory mounted automatically.Wrapping up
That’s it! You have successfully backed up and restored a WSL distribution. As specified in the above article, backup does consume additional space on your disk.
While you may not back up all the systems you have installed, it is advised to take a backup for those that contain critical data.