error running windows EXEs "exec format error" (solved by restarting computer) #13872
Description
WslLogs-2025-12-10_12-11-37.zip
Windows Version
Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.26200.7462]
WSL Version
WSL version: 2.6.2.0
Are you using WSL 1 or WSL 2?
- WSL 2
- WSL 1
Kernel Version
6.6.87.2-1
Distro Version
Ubuntu 24.04
Other Software
(See solution below)
I had this error when running commands such as explorer.exe from wsl:
-bash: cannot execute binary file: Exec format error
Even after finding the location of the exe on the system and running it, I still get this error:
-bash: /mnt/c/windows/explorer.exe: cannot execute binary file: Exec format error
Note that this was after doing a fresh install of wsl (ubuntu). I reasoned that perhaps some permissions hadn't been granted to wsl yet.
*** SOLUTION ***
THIS WAS SOLVED BY RESTARTING THE COMPUTER. I am writing this bug report because all attempts at googling for the solution did not suggest this solution, which did indeed solve the problem for me.
NOTE1 TO MICROSOFT TECHNICIANS:
After submitting this bug report, github-actions put a comment saying:
Logs are required for review from WSL team
Thus I have added logs, but they are not logs of me reproducing the problem as I have no idea if it is necessary that it be a fresh install of windows or the 1st installation of wsl, and I am not going through the trouble of installing another version of wsl to check. I'm already "trying to do the right thing" by issuing this report and I am only going to jump through so many hoops. This is also here to hopefully aid people who are googling looking for a solution.
NOTE2 TO MICROSOFT TECHNICIANS:
There is a minor problem in this bug reporting form. At one point it says:
Tell us whether the issue is on WSL 2 and/or WSL 1. You can tell by running wsl -l -v.
This should read:
Tell us whether the issue is on WSL 2 and/or WSL 1. You can tell by running wsl.exe -l -v.
Repro Steps
On a fresh install of windows, install wsl ubuntu 24.04 and then attempt to run:
$ explorer.exe .
Expected Behavior
I expected the File Explorer to be opened
Actual Behavior
-bash: /mnt/c/windows/explorer.exe: cannot execute binary file: Exec format error
Diagnostic Logs
See attach zip file