Changing home directory of user on Windows Subsystem for Linux

Changing the home directory with WSL is done the same way as in Linux:

1. Enter bash
2. Type the command sudo vim /etc/passwd
3. Find your account's line, which might look like:
   harry:x:1000:1000:"",,,:/home/harry:/bin/bash
4. Change the home directory, which above is /home/harry, to the new directory, using WSL notation (If you want to set Windows directory as home directory, you need to prepend it with /mnt/, like /mnt/c for C:/, /mnt/d for D:/, etc)
5. Save the file and exit vim by typing :wq and press Enter
6. Exit bash and re-launch it
7. To test, use the commands:
   cd ~
pwd

Let me know if you need more information.

As at 2021, there's a better way to log in as root and change user's home directory:

• Press Win + R
• Enter cmd /C wsl -u root
• A root terminal will open and now you can use the usermod -d <path> <user> command with no problem (e.g. usermod -d /mnt/c/Users/Alex alex)