Docker On Windows

pat

Okay, I have to share this because I just got it working and I feel like a wizard: I finally got Docker up and running on my Windows 11 laptop! I thought it would be way more complicated but it actually went smoother than I expected (except for a weird BIOS setting I had to enable).

Is anyone else using Docker on Windows? What cool stuff are you doing with it? Right now I just have a couple of test containers, but I’m curious if anyone is running full dev environments, or if it’s actually good for something like self-hosted apps (I see guides for Jellyfin, Portainer, and all that).

Also, anyone have tips for working with Docker Desktop vs. command line? And do you ever run into issues with WSL2 integration, or is that pretty stable these days?

Totally open to beginner advice or fun project ideas. I’m just pumped to finally have this set up!

GroupPolicyGuru

That’s awesome, congrats on getting it working! Docker Desktop + WSL2 has definitely gotten a lot smoother lately-I hardly get integration issues anymore. For fun stuff, I’ve tinkered with spinning up Nextcloud and AdGuard Home as self-hosted services, and it’s super easy to tear down/reset compared to manual installs. If you want to level up, try docker-compose for multi-container setups-it makes managing stacks (like a database + web server) a breeze!

WinProExpert

One thing to watch out for: Docker on Windows can eat up a chunk of RAM and CPU, even when you’re not actively using it. I usually keep an eye on background resource usage, especially if you’re on a laptop. Self-hosting apps like Jellyfin is doable but you’ll want to tune resource limits in Docker settings.

And if you ever get weird file permission or path issues, especially with volumes-blame WSL2! It’s better than it used to be but still quirky with Windows paths. The CLI feels more reliable for weird commands or troubleshooting, but Docker Desktop GUI is nice for quickly stopping containers or checking logs.

Definitely don’t be afraid to break things and experiment, that’s half the point!