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Update systemd.md #2102

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17 changes: 11 additions & 6 deletions WSL/systemd.md
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Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
---
title: Use systemd to manage Linux services with WSL
description: Learn how to use systemd to manage Linux services with Windows Subsystem for Linux.
ms.date: 07/17/2024
ms.date: 01/13/2025
ms.topic: article
---

Expand All @@ -25,7 +25,10 @@ Systemd is [now the default for the current version of Ubuntu](https://canonical

To enable systemd for any other Linux distributions running on WSL 2 (changing the default from using the systemv init):

1. Ensure that your WSL version is 0.67.6 or newer. (To check, run `wsl --version`. To update, run `wsl --update` or [download the latest version from the Microsoft Store](https://aka.ms/wslstorepage).)
1. Ensure that your WSL version is 0.67.6 or newer:

- to check, run `wsl --version`; if the command throws `Invalid command line option: --version` error, you must update WSL;
- to update, run `wsl --update` or [download the latest version from the Microsoft Store](https://aka.ms/wslstorepage).

2. Open a command line for your Linux distribution and enter `cd /` to access the root directory, then `ls` to list the files. You will see a directory named "etc" that contains the WSL configuration file for the distribution. Open this file so that you can make an update with the Nano text editor by entering: `nano /etc/wsl.conf`.

Expand All @@ -36,20 +39,22 @@ To enable systemd for any other Linux distributions running on WSL 2 (changing t
systemd=true
```

4. Exit the Nano text editor (Ctrl + X, select Y to save your change). You will then need to close the Linux distribution. You can use the command `wsl.exe --shutdown` in PowerShell to restart all WSL instances.
![Enable systemd on WSL 2](media/systemd-enable.png)

![Enable systemd on WSL 2](media/systemd-enable.png)
4. Exit the Nano text editor (Ctrl + X, type Y to save your change and confirm with the `enter` key).

Once your Linux distribution restarts, systemd will be running. You can confirm using the command: `systemctl list-unit-files --type=service`, which will show the status of any services associated with your Linux distribution.
5. You will then need to close the Linux distribution. You can use the command `wsl.exe --shutdown` in PowerShell to restart all WSL instances.

Learn more about [Advanced settings configuration in WSL](wsl-config.md), including the difference between the `wsl.conf` (distribution-specific) and `.wslconfig` (global) config files, how to update automount settings, etc.
6. Once you restart the Linux distribution, systemd will be running. You can verify it by using the command `systemctl status` to show the _running_ state and the command `systemctl list-unit-files --type=service`, which will show the status of any services associated with your Linux distribution.

If your Linux distribution is Debian/Ubuntu/Kali Rolling, you should not only have installed the systemd package, but also make sure the systemd-sysv package is installed.

```bash
sudo apt-get update -y && sudo apt-get install systemd systemd-sysv -y
```

Learn more about [Advanced settings configuration in WSL](wsl-config.md), including the difference between the `wsl.conf` (distribution-specific) and `.wslconfig` (global) config files, how to update automount settings, etc.

## Systemd demo video

Microsoft partnered with Canonical to bring systemd support to WSL. See Craig Loewen (PM for WSL at Microsoft) and Oliver Smith (PM for Ubuntu on WSL at Canonical) announce systemd support and show some demos of what it enables.
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