A working WSL distribution can contain projects and configuration that are easy to miss in a normal Windows migration checklist. Give that environment its own backup and restore test before removing it or replacing the PC.

From Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt, run wsl --list --verbose. Record the exact distribution name and whether it uses WSL 1 or WSL 2. Save Linux work, stop its applications and services cleanly, then stop only that distribution with wsl --terminate followed by its name.

Export the identified environment

The following example assumes a distribution named Ubuntu and an existing backup folder. Replace those paths and names with your recorded values:

wsl --export "Ubuntu" "D:\WSL-backups\Ubuntu-before-move.tar"

Wait for completion and preserve any error. Record the export date and source distribution alongside the archive. Keep a separate backup of work stored outside the distribution, including files accessed through Windows drives.

The archive may contain sensitive configuration or credentials. Store it with the same access protection as the working environment, rather than attaching it to an ordinary support request.

Import a separate test copy

Choose a distribution name that is not already registered and a separate installation location. For a WSL 2 source, an example is:

wsl --import "Ubuntu-RestoreCheck" "D:\WSL-tests\Ubuntu-RestoreCheck" "D:\WSL-backups\Ubuntu-before-move.tar" --version 2

Before starting the copy, account for services or scheduled work that must not run twice. Use a controlled test arrangement. Launch the imported distribution explicitly with the intended existing Linux user, using wsl --distribution and --user, then inspect representative project files and configuration.

Confirm which environment is open before editing anything. Do not unregister the original as part of this test: Microsoft warns that unregistering permanently removes that distribution’s data, settings and software.

A successful import is one checkpoint. The stronger result is being able to read and use the required work from the separately named copy while the original remains available. Record any external dependency the archive did not recreate.

Sources: Microsoft WSL commands.