Component: 'WSL Kernel' Error Code: 0x80072f7d on wsl --install

I'm trying to install the Windows Subsystem for Linux within an updated Windows 10 VM (in Parallels on a MacBook), but it partially fails:

C:\Windows\system32>wsl --install
Installing: Windows Subsystem for Linux
Windows Subsystem for Linux has been installed.
Downloading: WSL Kernel
A error was encountered during installation, but installation may continue. Component: 'WSL Kernel' Error Code: 0x80072f7d
Downloading: Ubuntu
The requested operation is successful. Changes will not be effective until the system is rebooted.

WSL gets installed, but the Kernel not. After restart the cmd opens with this output:

Installing, this may take a few minutes...
WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x800701bc
Error: 0x800701bc WSL 2 requires an update to its kernel component. For information please visit
Press any key to continue...

How can I fix the issue?

2 Answers

I figured it out. You need to own the Pro/Business version of Parallels and then you need to enable nested virtualization. I removed WSL in "Add or remove program features", restarted and attempted to install WSL once more with wsl --install after enabling nested virtualization and it worked eventually.

Quote:

Using Nested Virtualization is essential to use WSL2 and the brand new Windows Docker for WSL2.

Source:

Naaaah,

1. Go to and download the WSL2 Linux kernel update package for x64 machines
2. Now execute the file, you should see this:

3. And now run your Ubuntu/Debian/Whatever

Follow this video if you have problems