WSL Import-in-Place: Registering an Existing ext4.vhdx Without Repacking It
When import-in-place is appropriate, how it differs from tar import, and how to avoid registering the only copy.
wsl --import-in-place registers a compatible ext4-formatted VHDX as a distribution rather than extracting a tar archive. Work on a verified copy: the registered disk becomes live mutable state, not an immutable backup.
Check the current command requirements, choose a unique distribution name, register, and verify users, /etc/wsl.conf, network, packages, and filesystem health. The imported distribution may start as root until a default user is configured through supported distro mechanisms.
Keep the original export offline until the migrated copy survives updates and restart. Import-in-place is efficient for VHDX migration; tar export remains more portable across storage layouts.
Sources: Import any Linux distribution into WSL, WSL commands