I tried to install Docker Desktop to a laptop running Windows 11, but after the install was completed successfully, Docker Desktop wouldn’t run and there was no clear solution available on the internet.
Here’s how I fixed it.
Install #
Before you install Docker Desktop you should check that your computer BIOS has virtualization enabled. You need to enter to the BIOS and go through menus to figure out which setting is the right one. Typically setting might be called
- VT-x
- AMD-V
- SVM
- Or just simply “Virtualization”
If you have trouble finding this setting, check your computer manual to find out more.
When your computer boots up, start the Docker Desktop installer, wait for it to finnish and you should be good to go.
However, if you are one of the many people who have had issues with Docker Desktop not starting or operating at all, here are some tips that might resolve your problems.
Old settings #
If you have had Docker Desktop installed previously, please remove
Appdata/Roaming/Docker/settings.json
from your user account as well as from admin-account if you have separate acocunts (as you should have).
WSL is not installed #
If your Windows does not have subsystem for Linux (WSL) installed. You need to install it.
From elevated prompt:
C:\Windows\System32>wsl --install
#List available Linux releases
C:\Windows\System32>wsl -l -o
#Install your favourite distribution
C:\Windows\System32>wsl install -d NameOfLinuxDistro
WSL1 #
If your Windows subsystem for Linux (WSL) is version 1. You need to update WSL to version 2.
From elevated prompt:
PS> wsl --update
User account not in docker-users group #
Your user account should be added to docker-users group.
From elevated prompt:
C:\Windows\System32>net localgroup docker-users <your-username> /add
After this you need to logout and login again for your group assignment to be effective.
Ok, that’s it. Hopefully you got something out of this and I’ll see you in next post.