How can I change the WSL bash command default directory?

Question

I have WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) set up on my computer with Ubuntu. When I want a Linux session, I hit Win+R and type bash because it's short and quick. However, it always drops me into /mnt/c/Users/Michael. I want it to drop me into my Ubuntu home directory (~) instead.

I've tried adding cd ~ to my .bash_profile, but then whenever I try to run bash from the command line, it always takes me to ~, instead of opening bash in the current directory.

I can get around this by running ubuntu from the Run Dialog, but it takes longer and is harder to spell.

How can I get bash to open ~ when run from the run dialog, and the current working directory when run from Command Prompt or PowerShell? Or, what are some good workarounds?

Probably all you need is to create a command (bat, shortcut, whatever) for windows that will force a shell to open where you want (your home). Than to call it from Dialog. From [this answer](https://unix.stackexchange.com/a/140635/66388) you can execute the equivalent of a `sh -c 'cd ~/Documents; exec "${SHELL:-sh}"'` (you may want to substitute `sh` with `bash` and delete `Documents` too since you want only `~` )... But I hope you get the hint. — Hastur, Mar 13 '20 at 10:47
@Hastur The problem with that is that it will **always** open in that same directory then, even when I run `bash` from the command line. — Michael Kolber, Mar 16 '20 at 02:02
I believe that you’ve misunderstood Hastur’s suggestion. I believe that their suggestion is that you create a batch file with a new name (e.g., `wsl.bat` or `runbash.bat`) containing the `sh -c '…'` command, and then run that from the Run dialog, while continuing to use `bash` from Command Prompt or PowerShell. Or create a Windows shortcut, and put that in your Start menu or on your desktop. — Scott - Слава Україні, Mar 16 '20 at 02:15

score 5 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 13 '20 at 08:22

A simple kludge (workaround) would be to put

if [ "$PWD" = '/mnt/c/Users/Michael' ]
then
    cd
fi

into your .bash_profile. That way, if you’re in your Windows home directory (C:\Users\Michael) when you run bash, it will go to your Ubuntu home directory. If you’re anywhere else, it will stay there.

This is a kludge/workaround inasmuch as, if you manually go to C:\Users\Michael in Command Prompt or PowerShell, bash will still cd to ~.

How can I change the WSL bash command default directory?

1 Answers1