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Windows - Installing Docker

Note

Rancher Desktop was selected as the preferred replacement for Docker Desktop. For more details about the decision, see ADR 40: Use Rancher Desktop to Replace Docker Desktop.

WSL2 is used as the backend for Docker. For more information about WSL2, see Windows - Install Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2).

Docker system requirements:

  • Windows 10 64-bit: Home or Pro 21H1 (build 19043) or higher, or Enterprise or Education 20H2 (build 19042) or higher.
  • Windows 11 64-bit: Home or Pro version 21H2 or higher, or Enterprise or Education version 21H2 or higher.

For a full list of requirements, see Install Docker Desktop on Windows.

WSL2 system requirements:

  • 64 bit processor with second level address translation
  • 4GB system RAM
  • BIOS-level hardware virtualization support must be enabled

Info

It is not required to have Administrator privileges on your laptop; however, having them will save a substantial amount of time. Admin access allows you to perform certain installations and configurations without requiring assistance from Administrators.

If you have Administrator privileges, you have a duty to respect the confidentiality of information to which you might not otherwise have access.

To Install Docker:

  1. Contact the IT Helpdesk through ServiceNow and request the following at one time:
    • WSL2 (Windows Service for Linux) to be installed on your computer
    • Docker 10.20 to be installed on your computer
    • To be added to the docker-users local group on your computer
  1. Install WSL2 by following Step 4 - Download the Linux kernel update package from Microsoft, then restart your computer.
  2. Download the Docker Desktop 20.10 installation package and run the installer.
  3. From your Control Panel, do the following:
    • Search for Groups, click User Accounts, and then click Edit local users and groups.
    • Enter your admin credentials.
    • Click Groups, open the docker-users group, add your non-privileged account, and then click Save.

Whichever method you choose, a working version of Docker that your non-privileged account can use will be installed.