issue: When I enter bash.exe in a PowerShell cmd window, my PC does not launch the Ubuntu command. I think Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is not in my $ENV:Path.

Troubleshooting I have done:

Reading on the Internet, I can test my $ENV:Path by typing the following a PowerShell cmd:

PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> where.exe calc

C:\Windows\System32\calc.exe

It returned the follow:

PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> (And the calculator displayed on my PC)

C:\WINDOWS\system32> $ENV:Path

C:\WINDOWS\system32;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\System32\Wbem;C:\WINDOWS\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\;C:\WINDOWS\System32\OpenSSH\;C:\Program Files (x86)\Calibre2\;C:\Program Files\PuTTY\;C:\Program Files\Microsoft VS Code\bin;C:\Users\user-lenovo595\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps

Question:

would you suggest as my next step to fix the issue?

Thank

tjcreek55

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Have you enabled "Windows Subsystem for Linux" optional feature?
With powershell running as an administrator, execute the following:
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux
Check here for more information: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/in...
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Thank you for the reply

Yes.  I enabled Windows Subsystem for Linux optional feature was enabled prior to me downloading, installing, and updating Ubuntu and Kali Linux on my PC.

After reading your reply, I wrote the following PowerShell script.

It does the following:

Displays current date and time

Gets the current status of Windows Subsystem for Linux

Displays current $ENV:Path

Displays current date and time

The script shows;

Windows Subsystem for Linux is Enabled

I don't see wsl in the $ENV:Path, shouldn't WSL be in the $ENV:Path?

Here are the PowerShell commands I used:

Get-Date

Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux

$ENV:PATH

Get-Date

I inserted the a pic of the output:

Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux

The script shows;

Windows Subsystem for Linux is Enabled

I don't see wsl in the $ENV:Path, shouldn't WSL be in the $ENV:Path?

Spam/Advertising/Phishing, and Scam Virus/Spyware/Malware danger Other Term of Use or Code of Conduct violation Hate Speech and Discrimination Suicide or self-injury Child exploitation or abuse Harassment is any behavior intended to disturb or upset a person or group of people. Threats include any threat of violence, or harm to another. Any content of an adult theme or inappropriate to a community web site. Any image, link, or discussion of nudity. Any behavior that is insulting, rude, vulgar, desecrating, or showing disrespect. Any behavior that appears to violate End user license agreements, including providing product keys or links to pirated software. Unsolicited bulk mail or bulk advertising Any link to or advocacy of virus, spyware, malware, or phishing sites. Any other inappropriate content or behavior as defined by the Terms of Use or Code of Conduct. Hateful content that attacks, insults, or degrades someone because of a protected trait, such as their race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability status, or caste. Any content about suicide and self-harm that could be dangerous. Any image, link, or discussion related to child pornography, child nudity, or other child abuse or exploitation. Bash.exe is within C:\WINDOWS\system32 and is covered by your $ENV:Path. There isn't a WSL path on my installation too.
What was the error or message you have encountered when trying to run bash.exe?
If you were to navigate to C:\Windows\System32 and run .\bash.exe, does it work?
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