Windows 10 WSL2 Setup Without Microsoft Store

Not all machines have access to Microsoft Store — especially those in enterprise environments restricted by Group Policy, or those running editions like LTSB/LTSC. However, you can still install WSL2 entirely via command line. This guide walks you through each step in detail.

System Requirements

Before starting, ensure your system meets the following conditions:

Windows 10 version 2004 or later, build 19041+
→ Open Run (Win + R), type winver, and check your version/build.
Virtualization enabled in BIOS
→ Typically listed as VT-x (Intel) or AMD-V (AMD). If not enabled, WSL2 won’t work.
Administrator privileges

Refer to BIOS guides by manufacturer:

Step 1: Enable Required Features

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run the following commands one by one:

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart

Enable virtual wsl2 — Enable WSL2 Features via DISM and Capture the Output

Then restart your computer.

Step 2: Install the Linux Kernel for WSL2

WSL2 requires a separate kernel package, which isn’t automatically installed if you’re not using the Store.

→ Manually download it here:
🔗 https://aka.ms/wsl2kernel

After downloading wsl_update_x64.msi, run and install it like a regular application.

Step 3: Set WSL2 as the Default Version

After installing the kernel, reopen PowerShell as Administrator and run:

wsl --set-default-version 2

This ensures any future Linux distributions you install will default to WSL2.

Step 4: Install a Linux Distro via Command Line

On Windows 10 version 21H2 or later, you can install supported Linux distributions directly from the command line — no Store needed.

To check available distros:

wsl --list --online

Example output:

NAME            FRIENDLY NAME
Ubuntu-22.04    Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
Debian          Debian GNU/Linux
Kali-linux      Kali Linux Rolling
...

To install a distro:

wsl --install -d <distro-name>

For example, to install Ubuntu 22.04:

wsl --install -d Ubuntu-22.04

After installation, reboot if prompted. Then launch the distro from the Start menu to complete initial setup (create a Linux username and password).

Common Errors

0x800701bc → Kernel not installed. Download from: https://aka.ms/wsl2kernel
0x80370114 → Virtualization is disabled in BIOS or Virtual Machine Platform is missing

WSL2 doesn’t provide a full graphical Linux desktop — it’s primarily command-line based. You can use CMD or PowerShell, click the dropdown icon, and see the Linux distro you installed (see screenshot example).

Even without Microsoft Store, you can install WSL2 manually on Windows 10. As long as you enable the right features, install the correct kernel, and load a valid distro, WSL2 will work just as smoothly as the Store-based method. This manual route is especially useful for restricted environments or systems without Store access by default.