Step-by-Step Guide to Uninstall WSL on Windows 11

How to Completely Uninstall WSL on Windows 11

Last Updated: July 25, 2025 – Uninstalling the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) on Windows 11 involves several steps and is not as straightforward as hitting an “Uninstall” button. While Microsoft has made installation user-friendly, removing WSL requires a systematic approach to ensure complete uninstallation of all components.

If you find yourself in a situation where WSL is no longer necessary, or if you’re troubleshooting issues, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you effectively remove WSL and its distros from your system.

Step-by-Step Guide to Uninstalling WSL on Windows 11

To fully uninstall WSL, begin by removing all installed Linux distributions followed by the relevant platform features and components.

1. Uninstall Linux Distributions

Here’s how to remove any installed Linux distro from WSL:

Launch Settings on your Windows 11 device.
Navigate to Apps.
Go to the Installed apps section.
Select the desired Linux distribution you want to uninstall.
Click on the three-dots menu on the right and choose Uninstall.
Confirm by clicking Uninstall again.

After completing these steps, repeat the process if there are additional distros to remove.

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2. Remove WSL Platform Components

Next, proceed to uninstall the WSL kernel and GUI components using PowerShell:

Open the Start menu.
Type PowerShell, right-click the result, and choose Run as administrator.
Enter the following command to uninstall the WSL component:

Get-AppxPackage MicrosoftCorporationII. WindowsSubsystemForLinux | Remove-AppxPackage

Executing these commands will eliminate the core components of WSL.

3. Finalize WSL Removal Through Windows Features

To ensure the complete removal of WSL, follow these steps:

Open Settings.
Select System.
Click on Optional features.
Locate and click on the “More Windows features” option within the related settings.
Deselect the “Virtual Machine Platform” feature.
Deselect the “Windows Subsystem for Linux” feature.
Click on OK to apply the changes.
Finally, select Restart now to complete the uninstallation process.

Once these steps are completed, WSL will be fully removed from your Windows 11 system.

You can also view a detailed video tutorial covering the uninstallation process on my YouTube channel.

Watch the tutorial here

Interestingly, WSL is now an open-source project. This change allows users to download WSL from GitHub, make custom modifications, and add new features tailored to individual needs.

This guide has been updated as of July 25, 2025, to reflect the latest changes and ensure that you have accurate and relevant information.

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