WSL tips and tricks v1

wsl-tricks.md

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+# WSL
+
+WSL is the Windows subsystem for Linux which allows to run Linux VM-like containers on modern Windows OSs.
+
+As it is constantly developed it has annoying bugs and issues that documentation quality is varying, so I try to collect here the useful know-hows to make it usable.
+
+## Change the subnet for WSL NAT
+
+WSL2 by default creates a NAT-ed interface to route the traffic of guest Linux VM over the host.
+
+It is changeable if you would like other network options. However in corporate environments usualy a good idea to keep the official topology. However WSL at setup pick a random /20 subnet from `172.16.0.0/12` to address the virtual machines. If your desired LAN uses this address you will can not access it.
+
+Solution is that change the WSL network subnet into APIPA subnet (169.254.0.0/16) and pick a random subnet.
+
+I picked the `169.254.255.0/24`. To apply this the suggested method is to save this in a `"wsl-change-network.reg"` file.
+> If you do it from notepad the double quotations are important to keep the `.reg` extension.
+
+```
+Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
+
+[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Lxss]
+"NatGatewayIpAddress"="169.254.255.1"
+"NatNetwork"="169.254.255.0/24"
+```
+
+Apply it and enoy, install WSL!
+
+### If WSL already installed
+
+If WSL already installed, do the following
+- shut down the WSL from terminal `wsl --shutdown`.
+- Run `services.msc` and shut down WSL, or simply open an elevated CMD (run, cmd, CTRL-SHIFT-enter) and type `net stop WSLService`.
+- Apply the Registry change.
+- Do a cold reboot (desktop, ALT+f4, reboot).
+