Is it possible to make distro.exe by "wsl --import"? - windows-subsystem-for-linux

Question

I imported a wsl backup file made through wsl --export from another machine through wsl --import.
But unlike when I installed WSL Ubuntu on the Window Store, distro.exe file such as ubuntu.exe(found on Start Menu) was not created. Because of this, there is a problem getting WSL support from JetBrain IDE. This is beacause JetBrain IDE recognizes the path to WSL through the distro.exe file.
If anyone has solved this problem, I'd like to get some help. Thank you for reading it.
Editted: Windows is v.1909(OS build 18363.592), and I tried to https://winaero.com/blog/export-import-wsl-linux-distro-windows-10/

Answer 1

I found a solution.(Windows 10 build 18363.592)
1. Export your WSL distro
wsl --export {your_distribution_name} rootfs.tar.gz to export your wsl distro. (your distro would be saved into tarball.)
2. Install your distro via Distro-Launcher
I used Yuk7's version. First of all, Download Launcher.exe, and rename it your_distro_name.exe then make directory to position WSL distro. Put your_distro_name.exe and rootfs.tar.gz in there.
Now you can install distro just run your_distro_name.exe. after installation, you could run your distro in powershell. PS > your_distro_name
3. Settig wsl.distributions.xml
C:\users\\{user_name}\\.{jetbrains_ide_name_version}\config\options\wsl.distributions.xml
Jetbrains IDE supports WSL via wsl.distributions.xml, you should add your distro.exe into this to use WSL on Jetbrains IDE.
<application>
<component name="WslDistributionsService" version="1">
<descriptors>
<set>
<descriptor>
<id>DEBIAN</id>
<microsoft-id>Debian</microsoft-id>
<executable-path>debian.exe</executable-path>
<presentable-name>Debian GNU/Linux</presentable-name>
</descriptor>
<descriptor>
<id>KALI</id>
<microsoft-id>kali-linux</microsoft-id>
<executable-path>kali.exe</executable-path>
<presentable-name>Kali Linux</presentable-name>
</descriptor>
...
</set>
</descriptors>
</component>
</application>
<!-- DESCRIPTOR FOR YOUR DISTRO -->
<descriptor>
<id>YOUR_DISTRO_NAME</id>
<microsoft-id>Your-distro-name</microsoft-id>
<executable-path>your_distro_name.exe</executable-path>
<presentable-name>your_distro_name</presentable-name>
</descriptor>
Just add <descriptor> into <set>.
4. Restart Your JetBrains IDE
Finally, I could use my exported wsl distro in another machine's WebStorm :)

Answer 2

Unfortunately the latest solution seems not working anymore, at least for me and at 03/2021. Maybe Phpstorm doesn't use the xml anymore and it query the registry (and it's better don't mess with the registry in this case in my opinion)
I would like to share with you how I get it to work (not only the wsl$ path but also php and git executables in phpstorm).
Follow the instructions above until point 2: the distro is installed and in the same directory has been created the file ext4.vhdx containing the vm disk. Check it with wsl -l -v
Install your distro of choice from the Microsoft Store, with the same version of your imported distro.
Run the new distro one time, then turn off it wsl --shutdown <YOUR_DISTRO_NAME>
go to %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\CanonicalGroupLimited.<YOUR_DISTRO_NAME>\LocalState and rename ext4.vhdx to ext4.vhdx.old (just for security, later you can delete it)
copy the previously generated ext4.vhdx in the above LocalState path
Set the new distro as default with wsl --set-default <YOUR_DISTRO_NAME>
unregister the previously imported distro wsl --unregister <IMPORTED_DISTRO>
Now the new installation from the store will use your imported vhdx disk. You can delete ext4.vhdx.old.
In my case now all is working nice and smooth :)