No way to use PowerShell as default shell in WSL #11708

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opened 2026-01-31 02:55:23 +00:00 by claunia · 1 comment
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Originally created by @chriskuech on GitHub (Dec 5, 2020).

Environment

Windows build number: Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.19042.0
Windows Terminal version (if applicable): 1.4.3243.0

Steps to reproduce

  1. Use this profile
        {
            "guid": "{07b52e3e-de2c-5db4-bd2d-ba144ed6c273}",
            "hidden": false,
            "name": "Ubuntu",
            "source": "Windows.Terminal.Wsl",
            "commandline": "pwsh"
        },
  1. Notice that the profile launches in Windows (with Windows paths)
  2. Use this profile
        {
            "guid": "{07b52e3e-de2c-5db4-bd2d-ba144ed6c273}",
            "hidden": false,
            "name": "Ubuntu",
            "source": "Windows.Terminal.Wsl",
            "commandline": "/usr/bin/pwsh" // obtained by running `which pwsh` inside WSL bash
        },
  1. Notice the session fails to start, printing
[error 0x80070002 when launching `/usr/bin/pwsh']

Expected behavior

commandline is passed to bash inside WSL

Actual behavior

commandline is invoked in native Windows (outside WSL).

Originally created by @chriskuech on GitHub (Dec 5, 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: Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.19042.0 Windows Terminal version (if applicable): 1.4.3243.0 ``` # Steps to reproduce <!-- A description of how to trigger this bug. --> 1. Use this profile ``` { "guid": "{07b52e3e-de2c-5db4-bd2d-ba144ed6c273}", "hidden": false, "name": "Ubuntu", "source": "Windows.Terminal.Wsl", "commandline": "pwsh" }, ``` 2. Notice that the profile launches in Windows (with Windows paths) 3. Use this profile ``` { "guid": "{07b52e3e-de2c-5db4-bd2d-ba144ed6c273}", "hidden": false, "name": "Ubuntu", "source": "Windows.Terminal.Wsl", "commandline": "/usr/bin/pwsh" // obtained by running `which pwsh` inside WSL bash }, ``` 4. Notice the session fails to start, printing ``` [error 0x80070002 when launching `/usr/bin/pwsh'] ``` # Expected behavior `commandline` is passed to `bash` inside WSL # Actual behavior `commandline` is invoked in native Windows (outside WSL).
claunia added the Needs-TriageNeeds-Tag-Fix labels 2026-01-31 02:55:23 +00:00
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Owner

@DHowett commented on GitHub (Dec 5, 2020):

You will want to use wsl -d Ubuntu /usr/bin/pwsh. Alternatively, use chsh inside WSL to actually change your default shell.

@DHowett commented on GitHub (Dec 5, 2020): You will want to use `wsl -d Ubuntu /usr/bin/pwsh`. Alternatively, use `chsh` inside WSL to actually change your default shell.
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Reference: starred/terminal#11708