How To Install Docker on Windows?
A Comprehensive Guide for Docker Installation on Windows 10/11
Greetings, to all! This article will delve into the intricacies of installing Docker on your Windows system.
Before we embark on this installation journey, let’s take a moment to understand what Docker is all about. Docker empowers us to run applications in isolated environments, providing independence from the underlying operating system and hardware.
Checking the Requirements:
Before diving into the installation process, ensuring that your system meets the requirements is crucial. Refer to the official documentation at docs.docker.com for a comprehensive list of prerequisites.
Check the requirements: https://docs.docker.com/desktop/install/windows-install
Creating a Docker Account:
Head over to Docker Hub and create your account. This step is essential for downloading the Docker installer for Windows. If you haven’t signed up yet, you can do so at Docker Hub Signup.
Create your account: https://hub.docker.com/signup
Pre-Installation Checks:
System Configuration:
Open your Task Manager and verify whether CPU Virtualization is enabled.
Task Manager > CPU > Check Virtualization Enabled.
If it’s enabled, proceed to the next step. If not, you’ll need to enable it.
Activating Virtualization Features:
Search for “Turn Windows features on or off” and open it.
Check for the Hyper-V option:
If you have Hyper-V, click on the checkbox and proceed with the Docker installer execution.
No Hyper-V? No Problem:
If your system lacks Hyper-V, follow these steps:
- Enable Virtual Machine Platform.
- Enable Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).
Now add WSL 2 by executing the command wsl --install in PowerShell.
wsl --install
Checking WSL: Confirm the installation of Linux, typically Ubuntu, via Windows Subsystem for Linux.
wsl -l -v
Installing Docker:
Download the Docker installer for Windows and run it. After installation, restart your computer to ensure a seamless Docker experience.
Launching Docker: With the installation complete, run Docker from the desktop icon and log in to your Docker account.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed Docker on your Windows machine. This comprehensive guide ensures a smooth installation process, making Docker readily available for development endeavors. Happy coding!
