Microsoft has already rolled back the kernel in WSL2 while issues are debugged

The pre-release version had been bumped to a 6.6 kernel, but there are issues to rectify before it’s ready for prime time.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

What you need to know

What you need to know

Recently, Microsoft announced it was finally going to bump the old kernel used in theWindows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)on WSL2 to something more modern. That hasn’t happened on the stable release yet, and it’s a good job.

In the latest pre-release candidate of WSL2, the kernel has been rolled back from the newer 6.6.36.3 to the previously used 5.15.153.1-2 while issues are debugged.

Here’s the full changelog for WSL2 2.3.17 which is available to download now fromGitHub.

The changelog isn’t specific to what the issues are, but there are potential signs it could relate toiptables. This issue highlighted recently focuses on the feature, and it’s particularly important since Docker, of note, relies on iptables.

One possible explanation from a WSL Community Telegram group I’m part of suggests that because some Linux distros are moving tonftablesin place of iptables, though the kernel itself hasn’t dropped support for the latter.

In any case, this doesn’t affect the stable release of WSL2 right now, so if you’re using that, then it’s business as usual. If you’re on the pre-release version, and you have been having troubles, then you’ll probably want to hit theGitHub pageand grab the latest release.

Get the Windows Central Newsletter

Get the Windows Central Newsletter

All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.

Richard Devine is a Managing Editor at Windows Central with over a decade of experience. A former Project Manager and long-term tech addict, he joined Mobile Nations in 2011 and has been found on Android Central and iMore as well as Windows Central. Currently, you’ll find him steering the site’s coverage of all manner of PC hardware and reviews. Find him on Mastodon atmstdn.social/@richdevine