Build a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) distribution installer/launcher application.

1. The latest version of WSL is available from the Microsoft Store

2. Download the .appx app and corresponding .cer cert from releases/latest

3. Import the self-signed .cer to Trusted Publisher and Trusted Root Certificate Authority

4. Install the .appx app package

1. Obtain root filesystem tarball and save as x86\install.tar.gz. I preferred the method from badgumby/arch-wsl

2. Setup and build:

   • Detailed notes: build-notes supplement the Microsoft README

   • Visual Studio isn't strictly required, but it was practically so in order to get the build tools setup and .vcxproj files corrected.

1. The command netsh winsock reset has been used to solve a number of strange WSL failures, for example:

   The attempted operation is not supported for the type of object referenced. Error code: Wsl/Service/0x8007273d

1. Any other advanced settings and then add /etc/wsl to rootfs

2. Eliminate ARM build targets if not needed (or figure out necessary tools)

This solution was pieced together from multiple sources:

• microsoft/WSL-DistroLauncher - WSL Distro Launcher Reference Implementation

• vineelsai26/Arch-WSL - mainly used for logos, etc. in ArchWSL-Appx/Assets and overall guidance

• badgumby/arch-wsl - good instructions for creating Arch based WSL rootfs (not packaged as .appx)