Sudo permission required to write anything when using Ubuntu 18.04 WSL #7759

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opened 2026-01-31 01:12:01 +00:00 by claunia · 1 comment
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Originally created by @pdec on GitHub (Apr 28, 2020).

Environment

Windows build number: 10.0.18363.0
Windows Terminal version (if applicable): 0.11.1121.0

Any other software?
Ubuntu 18.04 WSL

Steps to reproduce

Run WT with(out) Administrator privileges and try to write anything to harddrive, e.g.:
touch test.txt
echo 'Testing' > test.txt
mkdir test

output:
mkdir: cannot create directory ‘test’: Permission denied

when running with sudo it all works but default WSL terminal does not require sudo to write everything.
Reading from files works fine.

Expected behavior

I would like to be able to write / run application / code / scripts without having to use sudo all the time.

Actual behavior

All commands that write anything to the harddrive require super user privileges.

Originally created by @pdec on GitHub (Apr 28, 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: 10.0.18363.0 Windows Terminal version (if applicable): 0.11.1121.0 Any other software? Ubuntu 18.04 WSL ``` # Steps to reproduce Run WT with(out) Administrator privileges and try to write anything to harddrive, e.g.: `touch test.txt` `echo 'Testing' > test.txt` `mkdir test` <!-- A description of how to trigger this bug. --> output: `mkdir: cannot create directory ‘test’: Permission denied` when running with sudo it all works but default WSL terminal does not require sudo to write everything. Reading from files works fine. # Expected behavior I would like to be able to write / run application / code / scripts without having to use sudo all the time. <!-- A description of what you're expecting, possibly containing screenshots or reference material. --> # Actual behavior All commands that write anything to the harddrive require super user privileges. <!-- What's actually happening? -->
claunia added the Needs-TriageNeeds-Tag-Fix labels 2026-01-31 01:12:01 +00:00
Author
Owner

@pdec commented on GitHub (Apr 28, 2020):

My bad, I have not noticed being in a directory owned by root.

@pdec commented on GitHub (Apr 28, 2020): My bad, I have not noticed being in a directory owned by root.
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Reference: starred/terminal#7759