Linux (Penguin) Icon did not appear in File Explorer Sidebar

[ghost]

Windows Version

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.22631.3007]

WSL Version

WSL version: 2.0.9.0

Are you using WSL 1 or WSL 2?

• WSL 2
• WSL 1

Kernel Version

5.15.133.1-1

Distro Version

Ubuntu 22.04

Other Software

No response

Repro Steps

Recently installed WSL.exe after uninstalling it about a year ago.
After which, I do not see any Linux icon in the sidebar of File Explorer

Expected Behavior

This is what I expected my File Explorer to look like after WSL installation:

Actual Behavior

However, there is no Linux folder in my sidebar. I am able to access Ubuntu through \wsl$\Ubuntu without issue, but I am hoping to find a way to fix this as I would like to have a Linux folder that bundles all my distribution together.

Diagnostic Logs

[ghost]

Found a way to add Linux to Navigation Pane.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/127506-add-remove-linux-navigation-pane-windows-10-a.html

[ghost]

It only worked for a while, after restarting, the Linux folder disappeared once again.

[ghost]

Do you know which version you were using before when it last worked?

[ghost]

I was using WSL2 before uninstalling.

[ColorfulRhino]

I can confirm this issue (missing Linux shortcuts in explorer) exists for me in some WSL2 versions. I tested the few latest ones:

The issue persists in versions: 2.0.15, 2.1.0, 2.1.3, 2.1.4
However, the issue does not exist in versions 2.0.14 and 2.1.1. @pmartincic @dorea-l

Downgrading from WSL 2.1.3 to 2.1.1 immediately makes the shortcuts appear in the explorer (without restarting Windows or the explorer).

System info:
Windows 11 build: 22631.3155
WSL kernel for both WSL 2.1.1 and 2.1.3: 5.15.146.1-2

[OneBlue]

Fixed in 2.2.1

[ColorfulRhino]

Fixed in 2.2.1

Thanks! Could you point out which commit fixed this issue? @OneBlue

I can confirm that the icons are not missing in version 2.2.1. We will see if it stays sthat way or if some future versions will reintroduce this bug 😅

[ghost]

It wasn't fixed for me, the icon doesn't appear for me at all.
I've downloaded 2.2.1 from the repository.

[ColorfulRhino]

It wasn't fixed for me, the icon doesn't appear for me at all. I've downloaded 2.2.1 from the repository.

Oh no :(

Ping @OneBlue to reopen the issue (or reopen yourself if you can).
Maybe some logs would help, although others would have to point you to which logs could be useful in this case.

[ghost]

@OneBlue
It wasn't fixed for me though. I've reinstalled WSL all over again but the Icon is still not appearing.

[Minchh]

@dorea-l
Apparently the linux icon was hidden for me. I fixed by right clicking on the sidebar and enabling the "show all folders" option.

[ghost]

Nope, didn't work for me.

[SteveSayantan]

I just upgraded to 2.2.1 but the Linux icon doesn't work as expected on Windows 10 Pro. Nothing happens when it is clicked. Please help.

Here are the logs: WslLogs-2024-08-10_14-48-54.zip