Docker on Windows
Installation
Step 1 - Enable Virtualization
Docker Desktop requires either:
- Hyper-V (Windows native virtualization) or
- WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux version 2)
Enable Hyper-V
- Reboot your machine and enter the BIOS/UEFI.
- Ensure Virtualization Technology (VT-x/AMD-V) is enabled.
- Save and exit the BIOS.
Install WSL 2
- Open PowerShell as Administrator (right-click → Run as administrator).
- Execute the following command:
wsl --install
Step 2 - Download Docker Desktop
Visit the official Docker Desktop for Windows page.
Important: Download the x86_64 installer, not the Microsoft Store version.
Step 3 - Run the installer
- Follow the prompts.
- Choose whether to use Hyper-V or WSL2 during setup.
- Complete the installation and restart your machine if prompted.
Verify Installation
Open a terminal and run:
docker --version
docker run hello-world
You should see a confirmation that Docker is running correctly.