Can we have multiple WSL2 distros of the same type installed in a single Windows 11 host?

realtebo

Nov 14

0 views1

I'd like to have 'n' debian installed, not once per version, but litterally 'n' installations of the same debian 12.

Each instance should have a different set of php/nginx|apache/mysql|mariadb

Is it possibile, for first thing, to install multiple time debian 12 on the same wsl2 on the same windows 11 pro host?

If yes, can multiple apache|nginx instances be running on same port 80/443, setting up them to listen only to internal wsl instance ip?

1 answer

Accepted answer · original discussion

harrymc

Nov 14

Here is how to have several copies of the same distribution:

Install the base distribution from the Windows Store or using:
```
wsl --install -d <distribution name>
```
Log into the environment and modify as needed, then exit it

Export the environment with the following command:

wsl --export <distribution name> <export file name>

Create a new instance of the base environment by importing the .tar file:

wsl --import <new distribution name> <install location> <export file name>

You may now open the new environment using:
```
wsl -d <new distribution name>
```
In Windows 11, you can browse the file-system of distributions in Explorer via Desktop > Linux
The new distribution will have root as the default user. To login as another user, either use the -u <username> flag or create/modify a wsl.conf file in /etc directory inside the environment, with the following section:
```
[user]
default=<username>
```

For more information with screenshots see the article
Setting up multiple WSL distribution instances.

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