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WSL2 Offline Install

Null 5 Reputation points
2026-03-10T20:00:03.4+00:00

I am attempting to install WSL2 on an offline installation of Windows 11 Pro 24H2 Build 26100.2033. The system is in a lab with no internet access.

I have followed the instructions here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install-manual
and run the following commands via administrative power shell:

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart
shutdown /r
.\wsl_update_x64.msi

dism.exe runs successfully.

wsl_update_x64.msi was downloaded from: https://wslstorestorage.blob.core.windows.net/wslblob/wsl_update_x64.msi

When run wsl_update_x64.msi reports the error: This update only applies to machines with the Windows Subsystem for Linux

Cross referencing that error against: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/troubleshooting

  • Error: This update only applies to machines with the Windows Subsystem for Linux.
    • To install the Linux kernel update MSI package, WSL is required and should be enabled first. If it fails, you will see the message: This update only applies to machines with the Windows Subsystem for Linux.
    • There are three possible reason you see this message:
    1. You are still in old version of Windows which doesn't support WSL 2. See Step 2 - Check requirements for running WSL 2.
    2. WSL is not enabled. You will need to return to step 1 and ensure that the optional WSL feature is enabled on your machine.
    3. After you enabled WSL, a reboot is required for it to take effect, reboot your machine and try again.

None of the 3 options above apply.

  1. Windows 11 24H2 Build 26100 does support WSL2.
  2. WSL has been enabled. I have even disabled/enabled it several times via both command line and GUI.
  3. I've rebooted after each enable/disable.

Running wsl.exe:

PS C:\> wsl.exe
Windows Subsystem for Linux must be updated to the latest version to proceed. You can update by running 'wsl.exe --update'.
For more information please visit https://aka.ms/wslinstall

Press any key to install Windows Subsystem for Linux.
Press CTRL-C or close this window to cancel.
This prompt will time out in 60 seconds.
The server name or address could not be resolved

Stuck in a semi-installed state. Update obviously fails because of no internet access.

Need to run wsl_update_x64.msi. Please advise on the "This update only applies to machines with the Windows Subsystem for Linux." error.

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  1. Null 5 Reputation points
    2026-03-10T21:02:03.6266667+00:00

    The correct answer is to grab the latest kernel from https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases (presently wsl.2.6.3.0.x64.msi) and run that instead of the outdated wsl_update_x64.msi.

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  2. Q&A Assist
    2026-03-10T20:00:31.4466667+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    On current Windows 10/11 builds that meet WSL 2 requirements, the standalone wsl_update_x64.msi kernel package is only needed for older “inbox” WSL versions. On newer builds (including those where wsl --update is available), WSL and its kernel are serviced as a Windows component or via the Microsoft Store, and the MSI will report:

    This update only applies to machines with the Windows Subsystem for Linux

    when the expected legacy WSL 2 component is not present. This is why the MSI fails even though the Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux and VirtualMachinePlatform optional features are enabled and the machine has been rebooted.

    On supported builds, the correct path is:

    1. Enable the WSL and Virtual Machine Platform features (already done): 
         dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart
   dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart
      Then restart.
    2. Install WSL and a distribution using the wsl --install flow, which also handles the kernel for the supported configuration. On systems where wsl --install is supported, this is the recommended method rather than using wsl_update_x64.msi.
    3. For GUI or newer features, use wsl --update and wsl --shutdown as documented, but these require access to the servicing source (Windows Update or Store). In a fully offline lab, WSL 2 kernel and feature updates cannot be pulled via wsl --update; they must be provided through the same offline servicing mechanisms used for other Windows components (for example, via WSUS/Configuration Manager or offline media), not via the legacy MSI.

    Because of this servicing model change, the wsl_update_x64.msi package cannot be used to complete or repair the WSL installation on this build, and the error message is expected when the MSI does not detect the older WSL 2 component it was designed to update.

    References: