Windows Terminal must be restarted to learn about new WSL distros. #10574

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opened 2026-01-31 02:24:56 +00:00 by claunia · 3 comments
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Originally created by @Hoikas on GitHub (Sep 10, 2020).

Environment

Windows build number: 10.0.19042.0
Windows Terminal version (if applicable): 1.2.2381.0

Steps to reproduce

  • Open Windows Terminal.
  • Install new WSL distro from Windows Store.
  • Open "profiles" in Windows Terminal.

Expected behavior

  • The new WSL distro should appear in the list of profiles.

Actual behavior

  • The new WSL distro does not appear in the list of profiles.
  • Windows Terminal must be completely restarted to receive the new distro, causing a massive context-shift time sink.
Originally created by @Hoikas on GitHub (Sep 10, 2020). <!-- 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 I ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE PROCEEDING: 1. If I delete this entire template and go my own path, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement. 2. If I list multiple bugs/concerns in this one issue, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement. 3. If I write an issue that has many duplicates, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement (and without necessarily spending time to find the exact duplicate ID number). 4. If I leave the title incomplete when filing the issue, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement. 5. If I file something completely blank in the body, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement. All good? Then proceed! --> <!-- This bug tracker is monitored by Windows Terminal development team and other technical folks. **Important: When reporting BSODs or security issues, DO NOT attach memory dumps, logs, or traces to Github issues**. Instead, send dumps/traces to secure@microsoft.com, referencing this GitHub issue. If this is an application crash, please also provide a Feedback Hub submission link so we can find your diagnostic data on the backend. Use the category "Apps > Windows Terminal (Preview)" and choose "Share My Feedback" after submission to get the link. Please use this form and describe your issue, concisely but precisely, with as much detail as possible. --> # Environment ```none Windows build number: 10.0.19042.0 Windows Terminal version (if applicable): 1.2.2381.0 ``` # Steps to reproduce - Open Windows Terminal. - Install **new** WSL distro from Windows Store. - Open "profiles" in Windows Terminal. # Expected behavior - The new WSL distro should appear in the list of profiles. # Actual behavior - The new WSL distro does **not** appear in the list of profiles. - Windows Terminal must be completely restarted to receive the new distro, causing a massive context-shift time sink.
claunia added the Resolution-By-DesignNeeds-TriageNeeds-Tag-Fix labels 2026-01-31 02:24:56 +00:00
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@WSLUser commented on GitHub (Sep 11, 2020):

I'll note a workaround is using RaftforWSL by WhiteWater Foundry. Since that's a paid solution though, perhaps someone could write a FOSS equivalent of this feature request.

@WSLUser commented on GitHub (Sep 11, 2020): I'll note a workaround is using RaftforWSL by WhiteWater Foundry. Since that's a paid solution though, perhaps someone could write a FOSS equivalent of this feature request.
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@DHowett commented on GitHub (Sep 25, 2020):

This is, unfortunately, true. WSL does not send out a notification that we can listen for when a new distribution is installed, so we have no way of knowing when to run an update.

@benhillis do you have any ideas what we could do here?

@DHowett commented on GitHub (Sep 25, 2020): This is, unfortunately, true. WSL does not send out a notification that we can listen for when a new distribution is installed, so we have no way of knowing when to run an update. @benhillis do you have any ideas what we could do here?
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@DHowett commented on GitHub (Sep 25, 2020):

(Resolving this as "sadly by design" today.)

@DHowett commented on GitHub (Sep 25, 2020): (Resolving this as "sadly by design" today.)
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Reference: starred/terminal#10574