WSL regression SystemD configuration causes WSL to hang.

[mattbsage]

Windows Version

Microsoft Windows 11 [10.0.22631.3007]

WSL Version

2.0.14.0

Are you using WSL 1 or WSL 2?

• WSL 2
• WSL 1

Kernel Version

5.15.133.1-1

Distro Version

Fedora 39

Other Software

Docker Desktop (Windows) v 4.27.0

Repro Steps

To get the Fedora39 rootfs tar file:

From cmd.exe:

docker run -dit --name fedora39 fedora:39
docker export -o fedora-39-rootfs.tar fedora39
docker stop fedora39

Import the tar file

wsl --import fedora %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Packages\RedHat.FedoraOnWindows_39\LocalState fedora-39-rootfs.tar

Make it default and start it up!

wsl -s fedora39
wsl -d fedora39

do anything you like here, until...

$ sudo cat <> /etc/wsl.conf
[boot]
systemd=true
EOF

Next time this image is booted WSL hangs...

Reboot.

mount the broken VHDX into another instance, remove /etc/wsl.conf from the filesystem and the image runs fine.

Expected Behavior

I would expect SystemD support to be maintained.

Actual Behavior

wsl

Diagnostic Logs

I'm having trouble providing logs as I don't have Admin access to the machine. Sorry!

Perhaps someone else can reproduce this?

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[zcobol]

@mattbsage looks like the image exported from docker doesn't have systemd package installed. After adding /etc/wsl.conf run sudo dnf install systemd and restart your WSL instance.

Nitpick: it is styled systemd and not SystemD or any variant.

[mattbsage]

@mattbsage looks like the image exported from docker doesn't have systemd package installed. After adding /etc/wsl.conf run sudo dnf install systemd and restart your WSL instance.

Nitpick: it is styled systemd and not SystemD or any variant.

You are absolutely right - on all accounts! Sorry for wasting your time. I guess after 2 days of trying to resurrect my old Fedora 37 image (and failing), I got ahead of myself. PEBCAK.