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IDProjectCategoryView StatusDate SubmittedLast Update
0008448Kali LinuxGeneral Bugpublic2023-08-31 19:322025-07-14 09:35
ReporterQuestionQuest117 Assigned ToGamb1t  
PrioritynormalSeveritymajorReproducibilityalways
Status closedResolutionno change required 
Product Version2023.3 
Summary0008448: Fresh Kali WSL not installing, Unspecified error 0x80004005
Description

WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x80004005
Error: 0x80004005 Unspecified error

Kali Linux Distro from Microsoft Store for WSL fails to install, showing no progress/feedback after 15+ minutes of waiting before either closing or resulting in the given error code. This is as of 8/31/2023. Attempted uninstall and reinstall of distro app to fix and was unsuccessful in fixing the issue. Attempted to install Ubuntu distro to rule out client issue, was successful in installing Ubuntu distro from Microsoft Store with no issue.

Steps To Reproduce

Install Kali Linux from Microsoft Store.
Launch application from Microsoft Store or program list.
Wait for program to either succeed or in my case, result in error code or self-close.
Note: Error code is sometimes difficult to produce as program likes to just close instead. I managed to get it to display after maximizing the window or interacting (clicking or pressing various keys) with the command line interface.

Additional Information

I noticed the title of the application was "Kali Linux (Rolling)" and the (Rolling) part was often not there for the split second when first launching. That could be normal/innocuous, but figured I'd mention it.

Attached Files
image.png (7,261 bytes)   
image.png (7,261 bytes)   

Activities

Gamb1t

Gamb1t

2023-08-31 19:44

reporter   ~0018427

What is the host machine? In particular, is it a VM or not.
QuestionQuest117

QuestionQuest117

2023-08-31 20:09

reporter   ~0018428

Host machine is a Windows 10 Home laptop. It is not a virtual machine, although VBS is enabled (not that I think that matters in this case)
Gamb1t

Gamb1t

2023-08-31 20:14

reporter   ~0018429

Can you share software versions and WSL version? I had this issue on a couple of virtual machines however have not had it happen on bare metal systems. I would like to know more about your environment to see if it is possible to get someone to replicate the problem.

If possible, can you also check this? https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/wslregisterdistribution-failed-with-error/dd28f58e-869a-4a33-8b7f-95695371cb0d
In my case on the VMs that I was having this issue, the registry was set correctly. I would just like to rule it out.

There is also some information here that you could try checking: https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/issues/5440
QuestionQuest117

QuestionQuest117

2023-08-31 22:03

reporter   ~0018430

Distro is version v1.2023.3.0, and WSL was 2.0 kernel version 5.10.16 and that was the issue. Just updated WSL and it's fixed. Sorry for the trouble. Didn't have to edit registry. Closing issue (if I can)
Gamb1t

Gamb1t

2023-08-31 22:04

reporter   ~0018431

Closing. Thanks for checking!

Issue History

Date Modified Username Field Change
2023-08-31 19:32 QuestionQuest117 New Issue
2023-08-31 19:32 QuestionQuest117 File Added: image.png
2023-08-31 19:44 Gamb1t Note Added: 0018427
2023-08-31 20:09 QuestionQuest117 Note Added: 0018428
2023-08-31 20:14 Gamb1t Note Added: 0018429
2023-08-31 22:03 QuestionQuest117 Note Added: 0018430
2023-08-31 22:04 Gamb1t Assigned To => Gamb1t
2023-08-31 22:04 Gamb1t Status new => closed
2023-08-31 22:04 Gamb1t Resolution open => no change required
2023-08-31 22:04 Gamb1t Note Added: 0018431
2025-07-14 09:35 g0tmi1k Priority high => normal