How to fix wsl2 not opening graphical apps?

Question

I've been trying to install graphical apps on wsl for 2 months now without success using xLaunch and I haven't found any working solution yet...

Here is what I get when I try to launch a graphical app :

Wsl trying to open xeyes

I currently am on Windows 10 21H1.

For xLauncher preset, I use :

- multiple windows
- Startwith no client
- Clipboard / Primary Selection / Native openGL / Disable access control

and for my ~/.bashrc I have :

export DISPLAY=$(awk '/nameserver / {print $2; exit}' /etc/resolv.conf 2>/dev/null):0
export LIBGL_ALWAYS_INDIRECT=1
export XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=/tmp/xdg
export RUNLEVEL=3

Any help would be welcome, and I can always add any other information that could help

Answer 1

From Run Linux GUI apps on the Windows Subsystem for Linux:

Prerequisites

You will need to be on Windows 11 Build 22000 or higher to access this feature.

You need to upgrade to Windows 11 for this feature in WSL2.

You might instead try by downgrading to WSL1.

At the time that I wrote my answer (which you might have used here), I found the method in an Ubuntu article that might have not differentiated between the two WSL versions. It's possible that it only works in WSL1.

EDIT: Graphical apps have now been ported also to WSL2 in Windows 10. Upgrade to Windows 11 is no longer required.

See Run Linux GUI apps on the Windows Subsystem for Linux.