WSL Medium · Lesson 1 · On the house

Custom kernels concept

Bring your own Linux kernel. Lesson 1 is free — on the house.

Lessons · WSL Medium · Lesson 1 of 10 · On the house

Bring your own Linux kernel.

WSL 2 can load a custom kernel via kernel= path in .wslconfig.

Custom kernels unlock modules or patches Microsoft's default kernel omits.

You own rebuilding and updating that kernel when Windows/WSL expects changes.

Mismatching modules/config can prevent boot — keep a known-good kernel path.

Most developers never need this; treat it as an advanced escape hatch.

kernel

# .wslconfig
[wsl2]
kernel=C:\\kernels\\bzImage

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Quiz

How point WSL 2 at a custom kernel?

Quiz

Why use a custom kernel?

Quiz

Risk of custom kernels?

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