wsl --install fails with Wsl/InstallDistro/0x80072f8f

[canon-cmi-jesper-dam]

Windows Version

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.22621.3155]

WSL Version

2.0.14.0

Are you using WSL 1 or WSL 2?

• WSL 2
• WSL 1

Kernel Version

No response

Distro Version

No response

Other Software

No response

Repro Steps

wsl --install

Expected Behavior

The command succeeds

Actual Behavior

Installing: Ubuntu
Content decoding has failed 0.0%'
Error code: Wsl/InstallDistro/0x80072f8f

Diagnostic Logs

WslLogs-2024-02-20_11-32-27.zip

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[nickyg666]

Hi, I also had this error code/problem and resolved by running wsl --install Ubuntu --web-download in admin powershell prompt. without admin, I received error you mention. with admin but no web-download flag, installation hangs at 0.0%.
this issue helped me solve: #9390
as well as this learn article: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install#install-wsl-command
my ps log:
PS C:\Users\user> wsl --install Ubuntu-22.04 --web-download
Downloading: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
The operation timed out
Error code: Wsl/InstallDistro/0x80072ee2
PS C:\Users\User> wsl --install Ubuntu --web-download
Downloading: Ubuntu
Installing: Ubuntu
Ubuntu has been installed.
Launching Ubuntu...
Installing, this may take a few minutes...
(window title changes to 'Ubuntu' waiting for some minutes, 30-60)
WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x80370114
Error: 0x80370114 The operation could not be started because a required feature is not installed.

Press any key to continue...
The installation process for distribution 'Ubuntu' failed with exit code: 1.
Error code: Wsl/InstallDistro/WSL_E_INSTALL_PROCESS_FAILED
(I think 114 error is caused by hypervisor optional component enabled, so disable and retry without restart)
PS C:\Users\user> wsl --install --web-download
Ubuntu is already installed.
Launching Ubuntu...
Installing, this may take a few minutes...
(wait some time again, fails so restart)
open ubuntu profile in powershell:
Installing, this may take a few minutes...
WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x8000000d
Error: 0x8000000d An illegal state change was requested.

Press any key to continue...

disable all optional features: hyper-v, windows hypervisor, wsl, virtual machine, restart.
attempt wsl -d Ubuntu-22.04 --web-download
wsl --install -d Ubuntu-22.04 --web-download
The requested operation requires elevation.
Installing: VirtualMachinePlatform

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.22621.2792

Image Version: 10.0.22631.3155

Enabling feature(s)
[==========================100.0%==========================]
The operation completed successfully.
The requested operation is successful. Changes will not be effective until the system is rebooted.
Failed to fetch the list distribution from 'https://raw.githubusercontent.com/microsoft/WSL/master/distributions/DistributionInfo.json'. The server name or address could not be resolved
Error code: Wsl/InstallDistro/WININET_E_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED
(actually lost wifi, retry)
wsl --install -d Ubuntu-22.04 --web-download
Downloading: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
Installing: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS has been installed.
The requested operation is successful. Changes will not be effective until the system is rebooted.
(okay, Reboot. Ubuntu 22.04 powershell profile appears, launching without admin)

Installing, this may take a few minutes...
WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x80370114
Error: 0x80370114 The operation could not be started because a required feature is not installed.

Press any key to continue...

[process exited with code 1 (0x00000001)]
You can now close this terminal with Ctrl+D, or press Enter to restart.
(press enter, read https://superuser.com/questions/1736443/wsl-2-installing-linux-failed-error-code-0x80370114 and enable code flow for both programs, without reboot)
Installing, this may take a few minutes...
Please create a default UNIX user account. The username does not need to match your Windows username.
For more information visit: https://aka.ms/wslusers
Enter new UNIX username: rogally
New password:
Retype new password:
passwd: password updated successfully
Installation successful!

windows 11 home does not allow hyper-v feature, but you should not need for wsl2. of course read here if you want it: https://www.makeuseof.com/install-hyper-v-windows-11-home/
i read a few places that content decoding issues are related to administrative rights. ensure you are not using the built-in Administrator account.
Hope I helped you solve it!

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