Issues with WSL File Access Sidebar in File Explorer After Windows Update

Saeid Shahriari 40 Reputation points
2024-12-07T15:46:37.2366667+00:00

Hello Microsoft Support Team,

I am experiencing an issue with the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) after performing a recent Windows update (some days ago). Previously, when I clicked on the Linux icon in the left sidebar of File Explorer, I could access my WSL distributions (e.g., Ubuntu and docker) directly from the sidebar. However, after updating Windows, these WSL distributions no longer appear in the File Explorer sidebar.

Windows 11 Home

Version 24H2

Windows 11
Windows 11
A Microsoft operating system designed for productivity, creativity, and ease of use.
10,595 questions
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6 answers

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  1. Gabriel Augusto Ferreira Oliveira 10 Reputation points
    2024-12-17T01:13:36.71+00:00

    Hi! I found a workaround to get rid of the issue:

    1. Enter "\\wsl$" (withour quotes) in explorer
    2. It will open all your wsl distros
    3. User's image
    4. Map the distro as a network drive
      1. Right Click in the distro name and map it as a network drive
      2. User's image PS: It seems that file transfers now are too much slower than previously.
    2 people found this answer helpful.

  2. Shane Turner 0 Reputation points
    2024-12-08T04:55:47.6233333+00:00

    I'm having the same issue.

    While we wait, the following command will open File Explorer in the current WSL/distro directory.

    explorer.exe .

    0 comments No comments

  3. Priyanshu Gupta 0 Reputation points
    2024-12-16T06:56:26.85+00:00

    I'm facing the same issue.

    0 comments No comments

  4. Martin Svoboda 0 Reputation points
    2024-12-16T13:12:35.09+00:00

    The same. After yesterday update

    0 comments No comments

  5. WhyWindows-6970 0 Reputation points
    2024-12-20T09:16:30.4133333+00:00

    Same issue after last major windows update. All bookmarks in explorer stopped worked and its not possible to remove them in the GUI. Please fix..

    0 comments No comments

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