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Docker Installation

Docker Desktop

Docker Desktop bundles the Docker Engine, CLI, and a friendly GUI for Windows and macOS.

  1. Download and install:
  2. https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop
  3. After installation, verify Docker runs: 
    docker run hello-world
  4. Notes:
  5. Docker Desktop requires virtualization enabled in BIOS/UEFI.
  6. On Windows, use WSL2 backend for best compatibility (enable WSL2 and install a Linux distro).
  7. Use the Docker Desktop UI to configure resources (CPU, memory, disk).

Docker Machine

Docker Machine historically created a small VM (often using VirtualBox) to run the Docker Engine on platforms that didn't support Docker natively. This is mostly superseded by Docker Desktop and WSL2 on modern systems.

Install on Linux

Example (Debian/Ubuntu-based systems):

# Install prerequisites
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y curl

# Download and run the official installer script
curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com -o /tmp/get-docker.sh
sudo sh /tmp/get-docker.sh

# Test Docker
sudo docker run hello-world

Post-install

To run Docker without sudo, add your user to the docker group:

sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
# Apply the new group membership immediately (without logout) in the current session:
newgrp docker
# or log out and log back in for the change to take effect

Check group membership:

groups
# or
groups $USER

If docker is listed, you can run Docker commands without sudo:

docker run hello-world

Common tips

  • If docker run hello-world fails:
  • Ensure the Docker service is running: sudo systemctl status docker
  • Review daemon logs: sudo journalctl -u docker --since "1 hour ago"
  • On Debian/Ubuntu, the installer script will configure the Docker repository and install Docker Engine and CLI.
  • To manage Docker as a systemd service: 
    sudo systemctl enable docker
sudo systemctl start docker
  • If you encounter permission issues after adding your user to the docker group, log out and log back in (or reboot) to refresh group membership.
  • Use docker version to inspect client and server versions, and docker info for environment / runtime details.
  • Official Docker docs: https://docs.docker.com
  • Docker Desktop: https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop
  • Get Docker installer script: https://get.docker.com