npm on Windows keeps requiring WSL

Question

I am trying to run my NPM projects on Windows, but when I run npm run dev, it keeps asking me to install WSL, even though I don't want to use it. Here’s what happens:

C:\{Path}\GitHub\project> npm run dev

> project@0.1.0 dev   
> next dev --turbopack

This application requires the Windows Subsystem for Linux Optional Component.
Install it by running: wsl.exe --install --no-distribution
The system may need to be restarted so the changes can take effect.
Error code: Bash/WSL_E_WSL_OPTIONAL_COMPONENT_REQUIRED

The issue also happens when running npx

PS C:\Path\to\test> npx create-react-app my_app

This application requires the Windows Subsystem for Linux Optional Component.
Install it by running: wsl.exe --install --no-distribution
The system may need to be restarted so the changes can take effect.
Error code: Bash/WSL_E_WSL_OPTIONAL_COMPONENT_REQUIRED

(this started happening after a windows update)

My Questions:

• Why does npm require WSL on Windows?
• Is there a way to force npm to run natively on Windows without WSL?

What I tried:

• the fix on Here
• Uninstalled Docker (since I thought it might be forcing WSL).
• Ensured Node.js is running in Windows (where npm confirms it's using the Windows version).
• Tried running in both PowerShell and CMD with the same result.
• Tried re-installing Node & npm with all its files

System Info:

• OS: Windows 10
• Node.js version: 22.14.0
• npm version: 10.9.2