Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsMicrosoft released Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) 2.0.0 on September 18, 2023. This Store-delivered WSL software update adds opt-in controls for memory reclamation, sparse virtual disks, mirrored networking, DNS tunneling, firewall integration, and automatic proxy handling, alongside reliability fixes and updated WSLg and kernel packages.
What WSL 2.0.0 is—and is not
WSL 2.0.0 is a version of the downloadable WSL software package, not a new Windows hardware revision. Microsoft made the Store package the default for new users running wsl --install. The Store package can be serviced with wsl --update and delivers WSLg and the WSL kernel together, while the WSL component built into Windows continues to receive critical fixes.
New experimental settings
All of the headline features are opt-in. Add them to %USERPROFILE%.wslconfig under an [experimental] section, then restart WSL with wsl --shutdown.
[experimental]
autoMemoryReclaim=gradual
networkingMode=mirrored
dnsTunneling=true
firewall=true
autoProxy=trueAutomatic memory reclamation
experimental.autoMemoryReclaim returns cached memory from the WSL virtual machine to Windows. With gradual, reclamation begins after five minutes of continuously low CPU use. The dropcache value releases cached memory immediately. Microsoft says this feature relies on Linux cgroup memory.reclaim and requires cgroups v1 to be disabled.
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Sparse virtual hard disks
experimental.sparseVhd automatically shrinks the WSL virtual hard disk as space is freed, reducing unnecessary growth of the virtual disk file. The release also adds an explicit management command:
wsl.exe --manage <distro_name> --set-sparseMirrored networking
experimental.networkingMode=mirrored gives the WSL virtual machine a networking model designed to improve compatibility and provide additional networking capabilities. Microsoft also fixed MicroK8s behavior when mirrored networking is enabled. Availability can depend on the Windows build; older Insider builds may fall back or lack support.
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DNS tunneling
experimental.dnsTunneling=true changes how DNS requests are resolved, improving compatibility in networks where the traditional WSL path is unreliable. Older Windows builds may not support the feature fully.
Windows firewall integration
experimental.firewall=true applies Windows firewall rules to WSL and enables advanced firewall controls for the WSL virtual machine. The release notes caution that Hyper-V firewall support can be unavailable or fall back on some older builds.
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Automatic proxy support
experimental.autoProxy=true makes WSL use proxy information configured in Windows, reducing the need to duplicate proxy settings inside each Linux distribution.
Docker compatibility warning
Memory reclamation is the most important trade-off for Docker users. Because autoMemoryReclaim uses memory.reclaim and requires cgroups v1 to be disabled, Microsoft reported that it broke the Docker daemon when Docker was running as a service inside WSL during early testing. Microsoft recommends Docker Desktop for Docker workflows that use this feature.
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If you run a Linux Docker daemon as a WSL service, leave autoMemoryReclaim disabled unless you have verified your exact setup. You can still evaluate the other experimental settings independently.
Other fixes and package updates
- Store WSL is accessible from Session 0.
- All binaries shipped in the WSL package are signed.
- WSL prompts for Virtual Machine Platform when it is required.
- Localhost relay failures with IPv6 disabled were fixed.
- Shared mounts are created during distribution namespace setup.
- A systemd unit can be generated to protect the binfmt interpreter.
- Potential
wslservice.execrashes were addressed. - Plan 9 mounts retry after I/O errors.
- WSLg was updated to version 1.0.57, including keyboard snapping for WSL GUI windows.
- The Microsoft.WSL.Kernel package was updated to version 5.15.123.1-1.
- MSRDC was updated to version 1.2.4485.
How to install or update WSL 2.0.0
- Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal.
- Run
wsl --updateto update the Store WSL package. - Run
wsl --versionto inspect the installed WSL, kernel, and WSLg package versions. - If WSL reports that virtualization support is missing, allow it to enable the Virtual Machine Platform and restart Windows when requested.
- After editing
%USERPROFILE%.wslconfig, runwsl --shutdownand start your distribution again.
The Store release also supports options such as --web-download, --no-launch, VHD import and export, and wsl --import-in-place.
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What changed compared with earlier Store WSL builds?
| Area | WSL 2.0.0 change | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Memory | Opt-in automatic reclaim from the WSL virtual machine | Docker daemon compatibility risk when used as a WSL service |
| Virtual disk | Experimental sparse VHD support and --set-sparse |
Requires opt-in configuration or the management command |
| Networking | Mirrored networking and DNS tunneling | Support varies with Windows build |
| Security | Windows firewall rules can apply to WSL | Experimental; older builds may fall back |
| Proxy configuration | WSL can use Windows proxy information automatically | Enabled with autoProxy=true |
| Servicing | Store package is updated with wsl --update |
Inbox WSL remains the path for critical Windows component fixes |
Should you enable the experimental features?
- Enable memory reclaim if returning idle cache to Windows matters more than running a Docker daemon as a WSL service.
- Try sparse VHD if virtual-disk growth is a concern and you have a current backup.
- Try mirrored networking or DNS tunneling when VPNs, enterprise networks, containers, or local services expose compatibility problems.
- Enable firewall integration when you need Windows firewall policy applied to WSL, but test existing development services afterward.
- Enable automatic proxy support on managed networks where Windows already has the correct proxy configuration.
Because these controls are experimental, change one setting at a time and keep a known-good .wslconfig copy. If a change causes problems, remove that entry, run wsl --shutdown, and test again.
Quick Recap
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