<p>Using the following guide, I'm able to use docker on Windows without Docker Desktop. It may not be exactly true to my original question but meets my use case.
<a href="https://dev.to/bowmanjd/install-docker-on-windows-wsl-without-docker-desktop-34m9" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://dev.to/bowmanjd/install-docker-on-windows-wsl-without-docker-desktop-34m9</a></p>
<p>Summarising the guide (in case it disappears from the internet):</p>
<ul>
<li>Install WSL and check it's version 2: <a href="https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install-win10#step-2---update-to-wsl-2" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install-win10#step-2---update-to-wsl-2</a></li>
<li>Install a Linux distribution: <a href="https://aka.ms/wslstore" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://aka.ms/wslstore</a> (I went with Ubuntu)</li>
<li>Add a non-root user (optional)</li>
<li>Upgrade any packages to the latest (e.g. on Ubuntu use <code>sudo apt update &amp;&amp; sudo apt upgrade</code></li>
<li>Install docker engine to your Linux distro: <a href="https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/</a></li>
<li>(Ubuntu) Switch over to using iptables <code>sudo update-alternatives --config iptables</code></li>
<li>(Ubuntu) Add your user to the docker group <code>sudo usermod -aG docker $USER</code></li>
<li>Start the docker daemon <code>sudo service docker start</code></li>
<li>Run the hello-world container: <code>docker run --rm hello-world</code></li>
</ul>
<p><em>I won't accept my own answer for now, in the hope that someone finds a better way</em></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-09-01T23:16:58.473Z
I think the best way to run Linux container in Windows without Docker Desktop is by running it within WSL2 as you have mentioned.
WMRamadan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-09-01T16:02:23.050Z
2022-09-01T16:02:23.050Z
Craig
<p>I've installed docker engine according to the following instructions: <a href="https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/binaries/#install-server-and-client-binaries-on-windows" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/binaries/#install-server-and-client-binaries-on-windows</a></p>
<p>I'm trying to run Linux containers on Windows 11, without Docker Desktop:</p>
<pre><code>PS C:\&gt; docker run -d -p 80:80 docker/getting-started
Unable to find image 'docker/getting-started:latest' locally
latest: Pulling from docker/getting-started
docker: no matching manifest for windows/amd64 10.0.22000 in the manifest list entries.
See 'docker run --help'.
</code></pre>
<p>I believe I'm getting the above error because dockerd is configured for Windows containers:</p>
<pre><code>PS C:\&gt; docker info  -f '{{.OSType}}/{{.Architecture}}'
windows/x86_64
</code></pre>
<p>I've tried to use <code>DockerCli.exe -SwitchLinuxEngine</code> however it doesn't seem to have been installed:</p>
<pre><code>PS C:\&gt; DockerCli.exe
DockerCli.exe : The term 'DockerCli.exe' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet ...
</code></pre>
<p>How can I switch to Linux containers?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-08-26T04:27:25.127Z
From the note inside the provided link:

The following section describes how to install the Docker daemon on Windows Server which allows you to run Windows containers only.
igiannak
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-08-29T09:43:44.443Z
I'm able to run Windows containers just fine. I need help with **Linux** containers.
Craig
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-08-31T07:18:08.477Z
you can't run Linux containers with Docker Binary Installation. Check your provided link.
igiannak
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-09-01T11:31:45.580Z
I guess my question is not phrased very well, or maybe I'm asking the wrong question altogether. I'll collect my thoughts and be back...
Craig
<docker><linux>
Does docker engine (not Desktop) support Linux containers on Windows 11?
Craig
# Does docker engine (not Desktop) support Linux containers on Windows 11?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-08-25)

I've installed docker engine according to the following instructions: https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/binaries/#install-server-and-client-binaries-on-windows
I'm trying to run Linux containers on Windows 11, without Docker Desktop:
PS C:\> docker run -d -p 80:80 docker/getting-started
Unable to find image 'docker/getting-started:latest' locally
latest: Pulling from docker/getting-started
docker: no matching manifest for windows/amd64 10.0.22000 in the manifest list entries.
See 'docker run --help'.

I believe I'm getting the above error because dockerd is configured for Windows containers:
PS C:\> docker info  -f '{{.OSType}}/{{.Architecture}}'
windows/x86_64

I've tried to use DockerCli.exe -SwitchLinuxEngine however it doesn't seem to have been installed:
PS C:\> DockerCli.exe
DockerCli.exe : The term 'DockerCli.exe' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet ...

How can I switch to Linux containers?

**Tags:** docker, linux

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: From the note inside the provided link:  The following section describes how to install the Docker daemon on Windows Server which allows you to run Windows containers only.  
> **username_0**: I'm able to run Windows containers just fine. I need help with **Linux** containers.  
> **username_1**: you can't run Linux containers with Docker Binary Installation. Check your provided link.  
> **username_0**: I guess my question is not phrased very well, or maybe I'm asking the wrong question altogether. I'll collect my thoughts and be back...  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2022-09-01. Score: 0 | Accepted answer

Using the following guide, I'm able to use docker on Windows without Docker Desktop. It may not be exactly true to my original question but meets my use case.
<https://dev.to/bowmanjd/install-docker-on-windows-wsl-without-docker-desktop-34m9>

Summarising the guide (in case it disappears from the internet):

* Install WSL and check it's version 2: <https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install-win10#step-2---update-to-wsl-2>
* Install a Linux distribution: <https://aka.ms/wslstore> (I went with Ubuntu)
* Add a non-root user (optional)
* Upgrade any packages to the latest (e.g. on Ubuntu use `sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade`
* Install docker engine to your Linux distro: <https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/>
* (Ubuntu) Switch over to using iptables `sudo update-alternatives --config iptables`
* (Ubuntu) Add your user to the docker group `sudo usermod -aG docker $USER`
* Start the docker daemon `sudo service docker start`
* Run the hello-world container: `docker run --rm hello-world`

*I won't accept my own answer for now, in the hope that someone finds a better way*

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: I think the best way to run Linux container in Windows without Docker Desktop is by running it within WSL2 as you have mentioned.  

---

