What release of WSL is in Windows 11 22H2?

[NotTheDr01ds]

None of my systems have come into the upgrade pool for 22H2 yet, but I'm wondering if the WSL release changes at all in 22H2, or is it still the same as in the initial 21H2 (first Windows 11 release)?

Traditionally, we've always received a new WSL release with a "major" Windows (H2, or when they happened, H1) release. But with the move to the Store releases, I'm assuming that model may not continue going forward. Then again, maybe a Store version of WSL comes installed by default in 22H2 -- I just don't know, but am curious.

• What's the "release" number of WSL after upgrading (or installing) Windows 11 22H2?

• Is there a "non-Preview" version of WSL in the Store for those on Windows 11 22H2?

• I've been assuming that the inability to launch a Store-installed WSL when connected to Windows via OpenSSH (see known issues) would require a change in Windows -- Does anyone know if this works on 22H2 now?

[NotTheDr01ds]

Well, I got upgraded to 22H2 and now have the answers to my questions. I'll start with the bad news:

I've been assuming that the inability to launch a Store-installed WSL when connected to Windows via OpenSSH (see known issues) would require a change in Windows -- Does anyone know if this works on 22H2 now?

Unfortunately, starting WSL (Store installed) in an SSH session into Windows still doesn't work. We apparently have to either give up this feature permanently or stay on the stock (pre-Preview) WSL release. That's a bummer -- The SSH ability was something I used frequently in earlier releases.

Which leads to the next point:

What's the "release" number of WSL after upgrading (or installing) Windows 11 22H2?

The version of WSL that comes as a built-in feature of 22H2 (apparently called "inbox" since you can activate it via wsl --install --inbox ) is exactly the same as that of 21H2. Enabling WSL via "Turn Windows features on or off" will enable the pre-0.47.1 release. It would have been nice to have one of the stable Preview releases become the new "default" (inbox) version as this should have allowed SSH to work.

There are a few "upgrade" scenarios

• If you already have a WSL release installed on Windows 11 22H1, and you upgrade to 22H2, the WSL release will not change.
• If you wsl --install for the first time under 22H2, then you will automatically get the latest WSL Preview (but not pre-release) from the Store. Note that WSL1 will not be enabled with the Store version unless you specify wsl --install --enable-wsl1.

Is there a "non-Preview" version of WSL in the Store for those on Windows 11 22H2?

Not yet, apparently. After upgrading to 22H2, the Store release still says "Windows Subsystem for Linux Preview".