Run WSL 2 on system boot

If you notice that WSL 2 is not running when your system (re)boots, you might want to schedule it to run automatically at each logon.

Here’s how to configure this using Windows Task Scheduler.

Step 1 - Open Task Scheduler:

Search for “Task Scheduler” or run taskschd.msc.

Step 2 - Create a Basic Task

Navigate to the "Action" menu and select "Create Basic Task...".

Step 3 - Configure the task

Enter the following details (you can also enter whatever you want).

Name: "WSL 2"
Description: "Auto-start WSL 2 on boot."

Step 4 - Set the trigger

Choose At log on under the "Trigger" tab.

Step 5 - Define the Action

Select "Start a program" in the "Action" tab.

Step 6 - Define program details

Enter the following details (change disk if necessary).

Program/script: C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe
Add arguments (optional): /c start /min wsl.exe

Step 7 - Finishing up

Click “Finish” to save your task. WSL 2 will now launch minimized at each logon.