Windows Terminal keeps forgetting/can't find my default WSL Ubuntu profile #9644

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opened 2026-01-31 01:59:57 +00:00 by claunia · 0 comments
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Originally created by @DuncanSimon on GitHub (Jul 16, 2020).

Environment

Windows build number: Version 1909 (OS Build 18363.900)
Windows Terminal version (if applicable): 1.0.1811.0

Any other software?
Ubuntu 18.04 LTS for WSL

Steps to reproduce

  1. WSL and Ubuntu 18.04 are already installed and configured.
  2. Install Windows Terminal from the Microsoft Store.
  3. Upon first installation, it will automatically pick up the Ubuntu profile
  4. Set the Ubuntu profile as default in settings.json
  5. After e.g. restarting the pc, Windows Terminal can no longer find the default profile and does not list Ubuntu in the drop-down

Expected behavior

Ubuntu 18.04 for WSL to persist as the default profile that Windows Terminal uses when it launches.

Actual behavior

After e.g. restarting the pc, Windows Terminal can no longer find the default profile and does not list Ubuntu in the drop-down.
The following error occurs when launching Windows Terminal:
"
Encountered errors while loading user settings
Could not find your default profile in your list of profiles - using the first profile. Check to make sure the "defaultProfile" matches the GUID of one of your profiles.

"

The defaultProfile guid matches that of the Ubuntu profile. JSON for Ubuntu profile:

           {
                "guid": "{some_guid}",
                "hidden": false,
                "name": "Ubuntu-18.04",
                "source": "Windows.Terminal.Wsl",
		"startingDirectory": "//wsl$/Ubuntu-18.04/home/my_username"
            }
Originally created by @DuncanSimon on GitHub (Jul 16, 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: Version 1909 (OS Build 18363.900) Windows Terminal version (if applicable): 1.0.1811.0 Any other software? Ubuntu 18.04 LTS for WSL ``` # Steps to reproduce 1. WSL and Ubuntu 18.04 are already installed and configured. 2. Install Windows Terminal from the Microsoft Store. 3. Upon first installation, it will automatically pick up the Ubuntu profile 4. Set the Ubuntu profile as default in `settings.json` 5. After e.g. restarting the pc, Windows Terminal can no longer find the default profile and does not list Ubuntu in the drop-down # Expected behavior Ubuntu 18.04 for WSL to persist as the default profile that Windows Terminal uses when it launches. # Actual behavior After e.g. restarting the pc, Windows Terminal can no longer find the default profile and does not list Ubuntu in the drop-down. The following error occurs when launching Windows Terminal: " _Encountered errors while loading user settings Could not find your default profile in your list of profiles - using the first profile. Check to make sure the "defaultProfile" matches the GUID of one of your profiles._ " The defaultProfile guid matches that of the Ubuntu profile. JSON for Ubuntu profile: ``` { "guid": "{some_guid}", "hidden": false, "name": "Ubuntu-18.04", "source": "Windows.Terminal.Wsl", "startingDirectory": "//wsl$/Ubuntu-18.04/home/my_username" } ```
claunia added the Resolution-ExternalNeeds-Tag-Fix labels 2026-01-31 01:59:57 +00:00
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Reference: starred/terminal#9644