#  Using Docker on Windows

While Docker is inherently a Linux-based technology and we recommend running FlowFuse on Linux when ever possible, there are several ways to run Docker on Windows. Below, we outline the primary methods available, along with recommendations based on specific needs and use cases.

#  Docker Desktop

Docker Desktop is the most straightforward option for running Docker on Windows, offering a complete Docker environment with GUI support. It’s well-suited for users seeking ease of setup and use.

Recommendation:

Use Docker Desktop if licensing is not a constraint for your organization, as it provides a user-friendly, fully-integrated Docker experience on Windows.

#  Rancher Desktop

Rancher Desktop is a free, open-source alternative to Docker Desktop, providing a similar experience but without the licensing concerns. Rancher Desktop includes both container management and Kubernetes support, making it a flexible choice for containerized workloads on Windows.

Recommendation:

Consider Rancher Desktop if you prefer an open-source tool with no licensing restrictions.

#  Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2)

WSL2 enables users to run a Linux environment directly on Windows. WSL2 supports running Docker Engine without the need for a GUI, making it ideal for headless configurations or for those looking to operate Docker from a Linux command line on Windows.

Recommendation:

WSL2 is best suited for advanced users who are comfortable with command-line tools and who want to run Docker Engine directly within a Linux environment on Windows.

For the installation of Docker Engine using WSL2, refer to the next paragraph.

#  How to Install Docker Engine (Docker CE) on Windows using WSL2

This guide explains how to install Docker Engine (Docker CE) on Windows using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2).

#  Prerequisites

Ensure your system meets the following Windows Subsystem for Linux v2 requirements:

• Windows Server 2022
• Windows 10 version 2004 and higher (Build 19041 and higher)
• Windows 11

#  Step 1: Install Windows Subsystem for Linux

Open PowerShell as an administrator and run the following commands:

1. Install WSL and the default Linux distribution (Ubuntu) using the following command:

   wsl --install

2. Reboot your system to apply changes

   shutdown -r -t 5

After the reboot, WSL will automatically start installing the Ubuntu Linux distribution. You will be prompted to create a new UNIX account. Follow the instructions to create a new user account and set a password.

Once completed, you will be dropped into a new Ubuntu shell.

3. Confirm using proper WSL version, by running (in Powershell window):

   wsl --status

#  Step 2: Install Docker on Ubuntu

Once the Ubuntu system is ready, follow these steps to install Docker:

1. Remove Conflicting Packages

   First, remove any existing Docker packages that might conflict with the installation:

   for pkg in docker.io docker-doc docker-compose docker-compose-v2 podman-docker containerd runc; do sudo apt-get remove $pkg; done

2. Add Docker’s Official GPG Key and APT Repository

   Next, update your package list and add Docker's official GPG key and APT repository:

   sudo apt-get update
   sudo apt-get install ca-certificates curl
   sudo install -m 0755 -d /etc/apt/keyrings
   sudo curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg -o /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.asc
   sudo chmod a+r /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.asc

   Add the Docker repository to your APT sources:

   echo \
     "deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/docker.asc] https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu \
     $(. /etc/os-release && echo "$VERSION_CODENAME") stable" | \
     sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list > /dev/null
   sudo apt-get update

3. Install Docker Packages

   Now, install Docker and its associated packages:

   sudo apt-get install -y docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-buildx-plugin docker-compose-plugin

4. Add user to Docker group

   Add your user to the docker group to run Docker commands without sudo:

   sudo usermod -aG docker ubuntu

5. Start the Docker Service

   Start Docker using the following command:

   sudo /etc/init.d/docker start

6. Verify Docker Installation

   Run a test Docker container to verify that Docker is installed and running correctly:

   sudo docker run hello-world

   If Docker is installed correctly, you should see a similar output:

   

Once Docker is installed, you can install the FlowFuse platform using docker compose.