Installing Docker Desktop on Windows: Interactive and Command Line Methods

again when you switch back. {{< /accordion >}} ## Install Docker Desktop on Windows > [!TIP] > > See the [FAQs](/manuals/desktop/troubleshoot-and-support/faqs/general.md#how-do-i-run-docker-desktop-without-administrator-privileges) on how to install and run Docker Desktop without needing administrator privileges. ### Install interactively 1. Download the installer using the download button at the top of the page, or from the [release notes](/manuals/desktop/release-notes.md). 2. Double-click `Docker Desktop Installer.exe` to run the installer. By default, Docker Desktop is installed at `C:\Program Files\Docker\Docker`. 3. When prompted, ensure the **Use WSL 2 instead of Hyper-V** option on the Configuration page is selected or not depending on your choice of backend. On systems that support only one backend, Docker Desktop automatically selects the available option. 4. Follow the instructions on the installation wizard to authorize the installer and proceed with the installation. 5. When the installation is successful, select **Close** to complete the installation process. 6. [Start Docker Desktop](#start-docker-desktop). If your administrator account is different to your user account, you must add the user to the **docker-users** group: 1. Run **Computer Management** as an **administrator**. 2. Navigate to **Local Users and Groups** > **Groups** > **docker-users**. 3. Right-click to add the user to the group. 4. Sign out and sign back in for the changes to take effect. ### Install from the command line After downloading `Docker Desktop Installer.exe`, run the following command in a terminal to install Docker Desktop: ```console $ "Docker Desktop Installer.exe" install ``` If you’re using PowerShell you should run it as: ```powershell Start-Process 'Docker Desktop Installer.exe' -Wait install ``` If using the Windows Command Prompt: ```sh start /w "" "Docker Desktop Installer.exe" install ``` By default, Docker Desktop is installed at `C:\Program Files\Docker\Docker`. #### Installer flags > [!NOTE] > > If you're using PowerShell, you need to use the `ArgumentList` parameter before any flags. > For example: > ```powershell > Start-Process 'Docker Desktop Installer.exe' -Wait -ArgumentList 'install', '--accept-license' > ``` If your admin account is different to your user account, you must add the user to the **docker-users** group: ```console $ net localgroup docker-users <user> /add ``` The `install` command accepts the following flags: ##### Installation behavior - `--quiet`: Suppresses information output when running the installer - `--accept-license`: Accepts the [Docker Subscription Service Agreement](https://www.docker.com/legal/docker-subscription-service-agreement) now, rather than requiring it to be accepted when the application is first run - `--installation-dir=<path>`: Changes the default installation location (`C:\Program Files\Docker\Docker`) - `--backend=<backend name>`: Selects the default backend to use for Docker Desktop, `hyper-v`, `windows` or `wsl-2` (default) - `--always-run-service`: After installation completes, starts `com.docker.service` and sets the service startup type to Automatic. This circumvents the need for administrator privileges, which are otherwise necessary to start `com.docker.service`. `com.docker.service` is required by Windows containers and Hyper-V backend. ##### Security and access control - `--allowed-org=<org name>`: Requires the user to sign in and be part of the specified Docker Hub organization when running the application - `--admin-settings`: Automatically creates an `admin-settings.json` file which is used by admins to control certain Docker Desktop settings on client machines within their organization. For more information, see [Settings Management](/manuals/security/for-admins/hardened-desktop/settings-management/_index.md). - It must be used together with the `--allowed-org=<org name>` flag. - For example:`--allowed-org=<org name> --admin-settings="{'configurationFileVersion': 2, 'enhancedContainerIsolation': {'value': true, 'locked': false}}"`

This section provides detailed instructions for installing Docker Desktop on Windows, covering both interactive and command-line methods. It includes steps for running the installer, configuring settings like WSL 2 or Hyper-V backend selection, and completing the installation. It also details how to add a user to the 'docker-users' group if the admin account differs from the user account. For command-line installation, it lists various flags such as '--quiet', '--accept-license', '--installation-dir', '--backend', '--allowed-org', and '--admin-settings', explaining their usage and effects on the installation process, security, and configuration of Docker Desktop.