Microsoft announced a few days ago that it will soon release a patch for the “Element not found” error that appears in Windows Subsystem for Linux 2.
After users installed the Windows 10 cumulative update KB4571756 released on Patch Tuesday of September 2020, they found that they could no longer use Windows Subsystem for Linux 2.
When trying to boot a Linux distribution, they would receive an error saying “Element not found”, as shown below.
Today, Microsoft announced Windows 10 Preview Build 19042.508, which they believe will be the final version of the upcoming Windows 10 October 2020 Update (version 20H2)
As part of this announcement, they mentioned that installing Windows 10 preview build 19042.508 will fix the “Element not found” error in WSL 2.
“Windows Insiders on Build 19042.508 of the Beta and Release Preview channels using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) are experiencing an “Element not found” error when trying to start WSL. With the help of Insiders, we have identified the cause of the issue and created a fix that is expected to be included in the next 20H2 servicing release that will be released soon. Insiders who wish to unblock themselves immediately can uninstall this build (KB4571756) which is a non-security update . You can see more details about the issue on GitHub ,” Microsoft said in a blog post.
Those who wish to immediately fix this WSL 2 bug should uninstall update KB4571756.
To uninstall update KB4571756, follow these steps:
1. Select the Windows start button or Desktop Search and type update history and select View your Update history.
2. In the Settings/View update history window, select Uninstall Updates.
3. In the Installed Updates window, find and select KB4571756, and then click the Uninstall button.
4. Restart your Windows device.
