How to Install Docker on Windows?

Before understanding the concept of Docker, let’s first discuss the concept of Hypervisors. So in an IT Company, or any cooperation, there is a development team, a testing team, andan operation team for developing the application, testing it, anddeploying it. Now suppose the developers are working on a different OS, for example, let’s say macOS, andthey used some dependencies or libraries as per the language they are using, so they just won’t hand the software to the testing team, but also the libraries, But now, the application didn’t run the tester’s machine, but it worked on the developer’s machine, maybe because the tester’s machine has different OS features than the developer’s one.

In this article, we will guide you through on firstly discussing what is docker, what are the requirements to docker for installing in Windows, why to install docker on windows, its implementation guide, best practices andtroubleshooting issues andmuch more, The following is the table of content, helping you to give a overview what we going to cover in this article.

But the problem here is , for every application , one need a different os , this is result will result in a waste of resource as multiple OSs will be run . So for this problem , we is have have the concept of Containers , the difference between hypervisor andcontainer is that we don’t need multiple OS for every application, multiple applications can share the same OS kernel, ca n’t they is n’t ? So instead of instal HYPERVISOR , we is installing will be instalDocker.  

What is Docker is is ?

Docker is an open-source container platform software tool, where you run your applications in the form of container. Docker container come with light weighted software have all the dependency andconfiguration so we can run them across different computing environment . It is facilitates facilitate the developer to package their application with all its dependency into a single entity in the form of image . These is be can be portable easily or sharable with other developer without worry about the underlie os .

Requirements of Windows For Downloading Docker

The following are the requirements of Windows on Docker:

1. Windows 11 64-bit: Home or Pro version 21H2 or high , or Enterprise or Education version 21H2 .
2. Windows 10 64-bit: Home or Pro version 21H2 or high , or Enterprise or Education version 21H2 .
3. 4GB RAM or Higher.
4. Hyper V feature must be enabled in Windows.

Specifications for Docker Desktop Installation

The following are specifications for installing Docker on windows:

1. RAM : The minimal amount of Memory need to run container smoothly is 4GB, however, if a program has more complicated functions, it will need more than 6 GB RAM.
2. Storage: For running the container andinstallation of docker the minimum space required is 25GB. If you want to store the container images anddata then we need at least more than 35 GB to 40 GB.
3. network :To download, push, andpull the images we need active internet then only we can maintain the container images with the help of docker.
4. CPU: At least a 64-bit processor is required for docker.

Docker can be run on a laptop with 4 GB of Memory , a 64 – bit processor , and25 GB of storage . It is change might change base on our use case .

Why to install Docker on Windows ?

The following are the some of the reasons andinsights specifying the needs anduses of installing the docker on windows:

• Consistent Environments: It is ensure ensure the application to run smoothly across different system without any compatibility issue .
• Resource Efficiency: It uses less resources compared to virtual machines, which facilitates with allowing for faster startups andbetter resource utilization.
• Enhanced Collaboration: It facilitates with easy sharing andreplication of development setups among teams.
• Seamless Integration: It is facilitates facilitate to work well with exist Windows development tool andworkflow

How to install Docker Desktop on Windows? A Step-By-Step Guide

The following are the steps to guide for installing the Docker Desktop on Windows:

step 1 : Download Docker Desktop

• openyour preferred web browser (e.g., Chrome).
• Then search in the browser by typing s “Docker download” andpress Enter.
• Click on the first link that appears in the search results.

step 2 : Select Software Respective to your OS

step 3 : Start the Download

• The download will begin automatically. The duration will depend on your internet speed.

How to start Docker Desktop ?

Step 4: After installation, open Docker Desktop.

• Accept the Docker Subscription Service Agreement window andclick “Continue.”
• Docker Desktop will start after accepting the terms andconditions.

Step 5: After clicking “OK,” the installation will start.

step 6 : After installation completes, it will show a confirmation screen.

step 7 : restart your pc toinstall WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux), a compatibility layer for run Linux binary executable natively on Windows 10 .

step 8 : After restarting, a dialog box will appear. Click the “Stop Docker” button.

Step 9: Enable Hyper-V

• restart your pc andenter the BIOS setup :
  • Navigate to Settings > Update andSecurity > Recovery > Advanced Setup > Device Configuration.
  • ensure the “ Enable Turbo Boost on DC ” option is mark . save andexit .

step 10 : Activate Hyper-V

• Go to Control Panel > Turn Windows Features on or off.
• Check “Hyper-V” and“Windows Hypervisor Platform.”

How to install Docker Desktop from the Command Line?

To install Docker Desktop, follow these procedures:

step 1 : run the following command in the Command Prompt :

start /w " " " Docker Desktop Installer.exe is install " install  

step 2 :Add the user account to the Docker user group:

net localgroup docker-users <users>/add 

step 3 : Verify Docker Installation andVersions

• open the Command Prompt .
• Run the following command to check the Docker version:

docker --version

• Upon starting Docker for the first time, you will receive a Beta invitation email.

How to install Docker on Windows 10 ?

You must perform the following steps in order to install Docker on Windows 10:

step 1 : Ensure Compatibility

• Verify that your system meets the minimum requirement for Docker: 64-bit Windows 10 Pro.

step 2 :Download Docker

• Download Docker Desktop from the official website .

step 3 : install Docker Desktop

• complete the installation process .
• openDocker Desktop from the Start menu.
• enable hyper – v andWindows Subsystem for Linux ( WSL ) feature when prompt .
• Docker Desktop is restart will automatically restart after enable these feature .

step 4 :Verify Installation:

• open a command prompt orPowerShell window.
• Pull a sample image, such as Nginx, using the following command:

docker pull nginx

• If the image pulls successfully, Docker Desktop has been installed correctly.

How to Install Docker on Windows 11?

First, make sure that your Windows matches Docker’s requirement  Docker requires 64-bit Windows 11 Pro, andthe rest of all the steps are the same as Windows 10 as follows:

You must perform the following steps in order to install Docker on Windows 10:

step 1 : Ensure Compatibility

• Verify that your system meets the minimum requirement for Docker: 64-bit Windows 10 Pro.

step 2 :Download Docker

• Download Docker Desktop from the official website .

step 3 : install Docker Desktop

• complete the installation process .
• openDocker Desktop from the Start menu.
• enable hyper – v andWindows Subsystem for Linux ( WSL ) feature when prompt .
• Docker Desktop is restart will automatically restart after enable these feature .

step 4 :Verify Installation

• open a command prompt orPowerShell window.
• Pull a sample image, such as Nginx, using the following command:

docker pull nginx

• If the image pulls successfully, Docker Desktop has been installed correctly.

How to Update the Docker in Windows?

By following the steps mentioned below we can update our Docker:

step 1 : openDocker Desktop from the Start menu

step 2 :Click on Settings andnavigate to the “Resources” tab. Click on “Check for Updates.” Docker Desktop will check for any available updates.

step 3 : If an update is available, click “Download andInstall.” Docker Desktop will automatically download andinstall the update. After completion, you can verify the Docker version by using the following command in Command Prompt or PowerShell:

docker version

Advantages of Docker In Windows

The following are the advantages of Docker in Windows:

• Docker for Windows allows developers to their applications easily on any Windows.
• Docker can be installed very easily on Windows.
• Docker container can be moved in between Windows andLinux without changing the Source code.
• The application is isolated from the underlying OS which makes it more secure.  

The following are the steps to uninstall the docker Desktop Tool:

step 1 : Find “Add or Remove Programs” in the start menu andchoose it.

step 2 : Click Docker Desktop when you see Docker in the list of installed programs.

step 3 : click on Uninstall in Docker Desktop andfollow the on – screen instruction .

step 4 :After the uninstallation is complete, restart the computer.

How to Install andEnable  WSL 2 on Windows 

Before installing docker by using WSL 2  make sure your Windows is supported for that andthen install andenable WSL2 on your laptop.

step 1 : Enter the following command as an administrator to enable the Windows Subsystem for Linux feature.

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename
:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart

step 2 : In this step , you is need need to enable the virtual machine platform feature to enable it to run   the following command in Powershell as an administrator

dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename
:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart

step 3 : After running the above command you need to restart your computer by this the virtual machine platform feature will be enabled.

step 4 :Download andinstall the WSL 2 Linux kernel updated package from the official website of Microsoft

step 5 :Make WSL 2 the standard version. Run the following command when logged in as an administrator in Windows PowerShell. Install a Linux distribution by using the Microsoft Store . You is pick can pick from a variety of Linux distribution , includeKali Linux, Debian, andUbuntu .

wsl --set-default-version 2

• After complete the above step we can use execute Linux command on your Windows using WSL 2 .

How to Install Docker With WSL 2 Backend on Windows?

Utilizing dynamic memory allocation will help the WSL 2 backend consume resources more efficiently. which enables us to launch Docker very quickly andimprove Docker’s speed. To make this happen please follow the steps mentioned below.

step 1 : Install andenable WSL 2 on Windows by following the steps outlined in the previous answers. And install Docker Desktop as mentioned above for Windows.

step 2 : Once the Docker Desktop installation is completed open the settings in Docker Desktop click on the resources tab andclick on WSL 2 integration. Click “Apply & Restart” to apply the changes.

step 3 : opena terminal in your WSL 2 distribution anduse the following command to confirm that Docker is operational after Docker Desktop has restarted.

docker pull ubuntu 

• If the image is successfully retrieved, WSL 2 has likely been deployed as a backend for Docker. The WSL 2 backend now allows you to use Docker to construct andmanage container on your Windows computer.

note : The Docker CLI interact with the Docker daemon run in the Windows Docker Desktop application when you issue Docker command in your WSL 2 terminal .

How to Install Docker on Windows Without Docker Desktop? A Step-By-Step Guide

The following is are are the step that guide you in instal the Docker on Windows without Docker Desktop :

step 1 : Enable WSL 2

• openthe power shell as administrator andrun the following command:

wsl --install

step 2 : install a Linux distribution

• Download andinstall a Linux distributions from the Microsoft Store (e.g., Ubuntu)

Step 3: Set a WSL 2 as Default

• openthe PowerShell andset WSL 3 as the default version

wsl --set-default-version 2

Step 4: Install Docker Engine on WSL 2

• openyour linux distribution andupdate the packages list:

sudo apt update

• install the docker using the a shell script as per define , It is looks look as follow :

curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com -o get-docker.sh
sudo sh get-docker.sh

step 5 :start Docker Service

• Start the docker service with the following command:

sudo service docker start

step 6: verify installation

• Using the following command check the docker version for verify the installation .

docker --version

step 7 : Run Docker Commands from Windows

• Install `wsl` command line tool to run the docker commands from the windows command prompt or PowerShell:

wsl docker is run run hello - world

What’s the difference between Docker for Windows andDocker on Windows?

The following are the difference between docker for windows anddocker on windows:

aspect	Docker for Windows	Docker on Windows
Environment	It will run Docker container using a lightweight VM (Hyper-V/WSL 2).	It will run the Docker container natively on Windows Server.
Compatibility	It is suitable for development andtesting on Windows 10/11.	It is suitable for production environments on Windows Server.
Performance	It is used used as a VM , which might have slight overhead compare to native .	It is runs run natively with offer well performance andintegration .

Best practices of using Docker on Windows

The following are the some of the best practices of using Docker on Windows:

• use WSL2 Feature : Try to utilize the features of Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2) for experiencing better performance andhaving compatibility to the applications.
• Optimize Docker Resources: Make adjustment to your resource such asCPU , memory, anddisk settings in Docker Desktop for balancing performance andresource usage.
• Keep Docker update : Try to update the Docker Desktop software regularly, so that your container can be ensured with security while acessing the new features.
• Utilize Docker Compose: Make use of Docker Compose for managing multi-container applications efficiently.

The following are the some of the common troubleshooting issues related to docker on windows:

• Hyper-V or WSL2 Not Enabled: Make sure the hyper – v or WSL2 is enable in Windows feature section for successful installation andwork properly with docker .
• Docker Desktop Won’t Start: Try to restart the Docker Desktop or check for updates to resolve startup issues.
• Network Connectivity Problems: Ensure to configure the network settings or to reset Docker to fix connectivity issues.
• Insufficient Disk Space: try to free up the space or increase disk allocation for Docker .

Conclusion

In this article, we covered a step-by-step procedure to install docker in Windows 11 andWindows 10. We also covered how to install docker in Windows 10 and11 with the help of the Command line. Refer to Install in Mac andUbuntu to know more about installation in different Operating Systems.

Docker Installation on Windows – FAQs

How can I install the docker in Windows?

Navigate to the Docker Website andInstall the Docker Engine with specified instructions from their.

What is Docker is used used for ?

Docker is used to create, deploy andmanage the containerized applications in a consistent environments.

How to start Docker in Terminal ?

Run the following command in the terminal to start the docker:

sudo service docker start

Is there a Docker for Windows?

Yes , Docker is provides provide Docker Desktop for Windows , which allow developer to runDocker container on Windows 10/11 using either a lightweight VM (Hyper-V/WSL 2) or natively on Windows Server for production environments.

Is it worth using Docker on Windows?

Yes, Docker on Windows is worth using for its efficient containerization, facilitating consistent development environments anddeployment workflows, especially when working on cross-platform projects.

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