Linux – How to copy a file from Windows Subsystem for Linux to Windows drive C

linuxwindowswindows 10windows-subsystem-for-linux

So I wrote a small program that calculates the Fibonacci sequence in the C programming language and wanted to move the fibo.c file to my regular C drive. The thing is I wrote it using Nano in Ubuntu running on the Windows Subsystem for Linux. When I try using the cp command to copy the file to /mnt/c which is where my C drive is, I get the error: "cp: cannot create regular file 'mnt/c/fibo.c': Permission denied". Anyone know how to circumvent this?

Note: I also tried using 'sudo cp' as well.

Best Answer

Does seem like an older issue, but might prove useful for others: I find the easiest way to achieve file copies from WSL to windows without having to struggle with permissions is as follows:

1) Open "File explorer"

2) Connect to your running WSL instance just like you would connect to a network drive: --> Enter \\wsl$\< WSL_Distro > in the address bar

3) Browse your WSL folder structure ;)

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From here you can copy your Linux files, and paste them on your windows folders. Do note that I do not recommend that you copy file from windows to WSL using this method.

If you want to copy to WSL, Best use the "/mnt/" method!

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