wsl commands not working as admin

[davein2bama]

When I run any command as administrator nothing happens

PS C:\Windows\system32> wsl --update
PS C:\Windows\system32> wsl --list --verbose
PS C:\Windows\system32> wsl --setdefault Ubuntu-20.04

(no matter what I type wsl --anything - it fails to do anything)

As a non admin user it works:

PS C:> wsl --list --verbose
NAME STATE VERSION

• Ubuntu Stopped 2
  Ubuntu-20.04 Running 2

Background:

Installed wsl on Windows 10 (21H2) and upgraded to WLS2 and played around a bunch trying to get kerberos to read a smart card. Decided I wanted a new instance. Tried to remove the first one (system-apps click ubuntu click remove). I dont think it removed because it just shows its stopped. Its not in system-apps any longer tho.

Installed a new one with wsl --install -d Ubuntu-20.04. Then i did a wsl --set-version Ubuntu-20.04 2 and it worked. I have updated Ubunutu, installed a bunch of packages, everything works but I need to make it the default and I am trying to do some other things that need me to run wsl commands as admin in powershell. Why wont wsl --anythingitry work? (Doenst work in CMD prompt either when Im admin).

Ugh! Help