Import file systems into WSL

Import file systems into WSL

In addition to installing Linux distributions using the Windows Store and the online list, file systems can be directly imported into WSL.

Install Alpine Linux

Check the Alpine Downloads

Look for the mini root filesystem for aarch64 and download it.

In the commands below substitute <username> with your Windows username.

At a Windows Command Prompt import the downloaded filesystem into WSL as a Linux distribution:

    

        
        
            wsl --import alpine1 c:\Users\<username>\alpine alpine-minirootfs-3.16.2-aarch64.tar.gz
        
    

The name of the distribution will be alpine1.

The storage will be in c:\Users\<username>\alpine

When the import is complete, list the installed distributions:

    

        
        
            wsl --list
        
    

The new alpine1 distribution will be on the list.

Start alpine:

    

        
        
            wsl -d alpine1
        
    

Alpine Linux is now running in WSL.

Install Raspberry Pi OS

Check the Raspberry Pi OS Downloads

Navigate to raspios_lite_arm64

Download the root filesystem named root.tar.xz

At a Windows Command Prompt import the downloaded filesystem into WSL as a Linux distribution:

    

        
        
            wsl --import rpios c:\Users\<username>\rpios root.tar.xz
        
    

The name of the distribution will be rpios

The storage will be in C:\Users\<username>\rpios

When the import is complete, list the installed distributions:

    

        
        
            wsl --list
        
    

The new rpios distribution will be on the list.

Start Raspberry Pi OS:

    

        
        
            wsl -d rpios
        
    

Raspberry Pi OS on aarch64 is now running in WSL.