Wsl: Please add download link to Ubuntu 20.04

[smholvoet]

Please add a download link for Ubuntu 20.04 (LTS), for people who have no access to the Microsoft Store.

If anyone supplies me with a valid aka.ms link to Ubuntu 20.04, I can create the PR to update the docs.

Suggestion: https://aka.ms/wsl-ubuntu-2004

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Document Details

⚠ Do not edit this section. It is required for docs.microsoft.com ➟ GitHub issue linking.

• ID: 7194d104-51d3-f53e-cb6c-2242affb7a22
• Version Independent ID: 3fd655c2-9bb3-67d7-c369-545f38f805d8
• Content: Manually download Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Distros
• Content Source: WSL/install-manual.md
• Product: dev-environment
• Technology: windows-subsystem-for-linux
• GitHub Login: @craigloewen-msft
• Microsoft Alias: crloewen

[Biswa96]

Download the ubuntu-20.04-server-cloudimg-amd64-wsl.rootfs.tar.gz file from here https://cloud-images.ubuntu.com/releases/focal/release/ then install it with wsl.exe --import command.

[AlanACruz]

I've been waiting on the https://aka.ms/wsl-ubuntu-2004 link as well.

I can install 20.04 on my personal machine using the Microsoft Store. However I cannot use the Microsoft store on my work machine so I need to be able to download the appx file.

[wsbak]

Download ubuntu-20.04-server-cloudimg-amd64-wsl.rootfs.tar.gz on https://cloud-images.ubuntu.com/releases/focal/release/
mkdir Ubuntu_2004
wsl --import Ubuntu-20.04 Ubuntu_2004 ubuntu-20.04-server-cloudimg-amd64-wsl.rootfs.tar.gz
wsl --list
--> Ubuntu-20.04 appears in the list

wsl -d Ubuntu_20.04
--> logged root
adduser
usermod -aG sudo
exit

wsl -d Ubuntu-20.04 -u
--> logged
cd

You can then create a Windows shortcut targeting C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe /C "wsl -d Ubuntu-20.04 -u "

[smholvoet]

@Biswa96

Download the ubuntu-20.04-server-cloudimg-amd64-wsl.rootfs.tar.gz file from here https://cloud-images.ubuntu.com/releases/focal/release/ then install it with wsl.exe --import command.

I'm unable to run --import, probably cause my work machine uses an old build (1809 LTSC, currently on build 17763), see issue https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/WSL/issues/419.

A download link where I can manually install the O/S (as is the case with 18.04) seems like the only solution, especially for enterprise users who are on the Long-Term Servicing Channel which doesn't support the --import parameter or don't have access to the Windows Store.

[Biswa96]

If possible, WslRegisterDistribution function can be use to install it.

[iggyvolz]

I am able to get it to work locally by downloading https://aka.ms/wsl-ubuntu-1804 and replacing the install.tar.gz file with ubuntu-20.04-server-cloudimg-amd64-wsl.rootfs.tar.gz as described above. Of course all the metadata still points to 18.04, but the distro launches.

[Biswa96]

@iggyvolz I didn't mention it because the ubuntu-18.04.exe will find the distribution name (which is Ubuntu-18.04) if that distro name is registered/installed Ubuntu-20.04 tarball will not be installed. To circumvent this, one can edit the distro name in registry Or install it with WslRegisterDistribution function.

[voyager-gold]

Please try this one. It's 20.04
http://tlu.dl.delivery.mp.microsoft.com/filestreamingservice/files/49c0e483-ef7f-4b80-a3aa-50b13c4cb405?P1=1589790938&P2=402&P3=2&P4=Zjww4Z%2Bi7vWakf%2Bydg0jPB48TBLoyw2xDoeFxiBm1XSgPrt0vJTnuOBp95CTEt9VYNlMS2hZZ%2BkB8E6T3VDuKA%3D%3D

Rename downloaded file to zip and extract.
You can find your distribution there.

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I will explain how above link was generated.

1. Inspect Get button in this page.
   https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/ubuntu/9nblggh4msv6
2. Focus on data-m attribute and copy pid.
   {"cN":"AppIdentityBuyButton","pid":"9NBLGGH4MSV6","id":"nn2m22r1a2","sN":2,"aN":"m22r1a2","bhvr":80,"tags":{"buttonType":"Buy","sku":"0010","availabilityId":"B4HL953543QH","buttonCommandType":"LaunchUri"}}
   The pid is 9NBLGGH4MSV6 and this is the product id we are going to get link for this store app from.
3. Go to https://store.rg-adguard.net, choose ProductId in dropdown list, enter the pid(9NBLGGH4MSV6) next to it and hit on tick button.
4. After it, you can download appxbundle for Ubuntu 20.04
   It is the store app bundle file. We can get the link to any store app this way.
5. Rename it to zip, extract it and you can see a list of appx files.
   You can go forward with Ubuntu_2004.2020.416.0_x64.appx or Ubuntu_2004.2020.418.0_ARM64.appx according to your choice.

[C0MM4ND]

@voyager-gold I have tried your method.

It successfully downloaded CanonicalGroupLimited.UbuntuonWindows_2004.2020.418.0_neutral_~_79rhkp1fndgsc.AppxBundle and got Ubuntu_2004.2020.416.0_x64.appx from it.

BUT after installing appx, I CANNOT OPEN the Ubuntu no matter inputing ubuntu in cmd nor click the app icon.

Maybe this is because of my windows environment which is LSTC.

[voyager-gold]

d CanonicalG

Maybe. I am not sure.
However, you can't use the Ubuntu 20.04 installed via appx after you reinstall your Windows 10.
If you want to keep Ubuntu all the time, here the method.
Extract appx and you can see ubuntu.exe executable.
When you run it, it configures Ubuntu in the same location as it resides in.
You can use Ubuntu in the location whenever you reinstall Win10.

[singhkpratham]

I will explain how above link was generated.

I used your method to get appx download link for 20.04. The download file size was around 832 MB. Which seemed a bit large, so I got the PID of 18.04, pasted, and got the size to br 532 MB. While, appx i downloaded from https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install-manual has size 218MB.

Any idea why this difference?

[singhkpratham]

Downloaded the file and found that file size difference of about 2x is because the PID method to download downloads package with both ARM and x64 version. If I extract only the X64 appx file that is of expected file size (452MB).

[JSamir]

Is it really that hard to provide an .appx file for download now that Ubuntu 20.04 is in the store for some time?

It really sucks having to work from corporate workstations....

[C0MM4ND]

I have migrated my WSL from ubuntu18.04 to kali, in which I can get ubuntu-style commands and latest packages like ubuntu20. It's too hard for ltsc user waiting for such a simple appx.

[biiiipy]

+1 . How is this still not fixed?

[sevickson]

Just found this on https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install-manual.
Direct link for appx: https://aka.ms/wslubuntu2004
And for ARM: https://aka.ms/wslubuntu2004arm

[craigloewen-msft]

Yes I've added a fix for this! My apologies on not notifying this issue board as well for it.

https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/WSL/commit/e67eb4aedff57a304188ca3360aba25605f8bdb1

Thank you for filing your feedback! :)