How do i fix the error "WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x80004005" which comes when I try to install kali linux?

Om Malhotra 35 Reputation points
2023-09-06T08:27:15.4+00:00

I downlaoded kali linux using the command in cmd

wsl -install -d kali-linux

Now whenever I try to open the app the error "WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x80004005" shows up. I tried running cmd as administrator and then typed

kali

Still it shows the same error.

I have already enabled Virtual Machine Platform and Windows subsystem for linux. Changing the version of wsl too has no effect.

Any help would be appreciated!

Windows 11
Windows 11
A Microsoft operating system designed for productivity, creativity, and ease of use.
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  1. Tim 116 Reputation points
    2023-09-20T14:16:55.2233333+00:00

    Having the same issue. It seems like Appx packages ruin everything. The errors are ambiguous, the troubleshooting difficult, and installations break at seemingly random times. Why can't we just go back to having MSIs which were much more reliable?

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  2. Chandan Bilvaraj 0 Reputation points
    2023-09-20T18:00:58.3566667+00:00

    Make sure you have the latest version of WSL installed.

    Try resetting the WSL service. To do this, open an elevated command prompt and run the following command:

    wsl --shutdown
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  3. George Cooke 0 Reputation points
    2024-03-28T14:38:47.22+00:00

    You can try (cmd with Admin privs):
    wsl --update

    That fixed my problem:

    WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x80004005

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