Is there an easy way to have WSL Ubuntu services start automatically on Windows startup?

Question

I have a question about the WSL version of Ubuntu. Is there an easy way to have bash start automatically when Windows starts and pass a command to it to start the SSH server? So that the SSH server runs all the time when Windows runs.

Answer 1

This also works on WSL 2.

Solution 1: use VBE script

Click on Start and search for shell:startup. also you can go manually to:

C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

now create a new file sshserver.vbe and add this text and save:

Set ws = CreateObject("Wscript.Shell") 
ws.run "wsl -d Ubuntu -u root service ssh start", vbhide

Solution 2: Task Scheduler

Click on Start and search for Task Scheduler.

1. On Task Scheduler click on Action and select Create Basic Task

   

2. On Create Basic Task Fill out Name and Description "Auto Start SSH server"

   

3. On Trigger select: When the computer starts.

   

4. On Action select Start a program

   

5. On Start a Program type path: C:\Windows\System32\wsl.exe, next on add Add arguments (optional): -d Ubuntu -u root service ssh start.

   

You should have something like this on the last step.