tieutantan · September 24, 2023 13:42 · Jan 2, 2023
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
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+# Uninstall then reinstall WSL on Windows 10 (clean way)
+## Background
+I've been using `wsl` (version 2) with [`genie` mod](https://gist.github.com/djfdyuruiry/6720faa3f9fc59bfdf6284ee1f41f950) for years without issue, but one day, Windows 10 [finally catch up](https://devblogs.microsoft.com/commandline/systemd-support-is-now-available-in-wsl/) on `wsl` Windows **11** features and gives us a way to use `systemD` natively. 
+
+I wanted to use the new "right way" to enable `systemD` on **Windows Subsystem for Linux** (without `genie`), and I also had a (probably related) infinite [Windows RemoteApp error](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/1439550/210227714-d15c1eac-9138-48c1-a03f-157fd90fec6c.png) poping in.
+
+## Fixing it
+
+### A - Uninstall wsl and related stuff
+1) **In powershell (as admin)**
+```powershell
+# list all installed distros
+wsl -l -v
+
+# destroy distros
+wsl --unregister Ubuntu
+wsl --unregister Debian # and so on
+```
+
+&nbsp;
+
+2) **In Settings > Apps > Apps & Features**
+- search for `Ubuntu` (then `Debian`, etc), and if something is found, click on **uninstall**
+- search for `Linux`, and if something is found, click on **uninstall** on all results
+
+&nbsp;
+
+3) **In Start Menu > Turn Windows Features on or off**
+- Untick `Virtual Machine Platform` checkbox
+- Untick `Windows Subsystem for Linux` checkbox
+
+&nbsp;
+
+4) **Reboot**
+- I might have reboot between step **2)** and **3)** as well.
+
+----
+
+### B - Re-install and configure wsl to use `systemD`
+The process of installing wsl have become [super straightforward](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install).
+
+1) **Installing wsl - In powershell (as admin)**
+```powershell
+# install wsl
+wsl --install
+```
+Then **reboot** and **wait for the Ubundu installation to complete** and ask for username (it might takes some time).
+
+&nbsp;
+
+3) **Optional: Changing distribution - In powershell (as admin)**
+```powershell
+# list available distributions
+wsl --list --online
+
+# install favorite distro
+wsl --install -d Debian
+
+# set Debian as default
+wsl --set-default Debian
+```
+**NB:** `wsl --set-default-version 2` is not needed anymore.
+
+&nbsp;
+
+3) **Enabling systemD support - Inside wsl**
+- Launch your distribution
+- Edit `/etc/wsl.conf` (or create the file if it doesn't exist)
+```ini
+[boot]
+systemd=true
+
+# Optional: remove windows from PATH (autocompletion)
+[interop]
+appendWindowsPath = false
+```
+
+&nbsp;
+
+4) **Clean rebooting - In powershell (as admin)**
+```powershell
+# clean shutdown
+wsl --shutdown
+```
+
+**Great success!** :tada: You have now enabled `systemD` in `wsl` natively. You can test it with `sudo systemctl status time-sync.target` (inside your Linux distribution).
+
+----
+
+Let me know if I missed anything, I'll be glad to update this gist.