Does Docker Work on Windows Home Edition?

February 1, 2026 · Developer Tools

Introduction

Docker is essential for modern software development, and for a long time it required Windows Pro or Enterprise because it depended on Hyper-V. That changed in 2020. Here’s the current state of Docker on Windows Home.

Key Takeaways

• Docker Desktop works on Windows Home — Full support since version 2.3 (May 2020).
• WSL 2 is required — Docker uses the Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 backend instead of Hyper-V.
• No Pro license needed — You don’t need to upgrade to Windows Pro.
• Performance is equivalent — WSL 2 backend is now the default on all Windows editions.
• Docker Desktop licensing — Free for personal use and small businesses; paid plans for larger organizations.

Setup Steps

1. Enable WSL 2

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

wsl --install

This installs WSL 2 with a default Ubuntu distribution. Restart your computer when prompted.

2. Install Docker Desktop

1. Download Docker Desktop from docker.com.
2. Run the installer — it will detect WSL 2 automatically.
3. During setup, ensure “Use WSL 2 instead of Hyper-V” is checked (it should be by default).
4. Complete installation and restart if prompted.

3. Verify Installation

Open a terminal and run:

docker run hello-world

If you see the “Hello from Docker!” message, everything is working.

System Requirements

• Windows 10 version 2004 (Build 19041) or later, or Windows 11.
• 64-bit processor with Second Level Address Translation (SLAT).
• 4 GB RAM minimum (8 GB+ recommended).
• BIOS-level virtualization enabled (Intel VT-x or AMD-V).

Known Limitations

• Windows containers require Windows Pro/Enterprise with Hyper-V. Windows Home only supports Linux containers via WSL 2.
• File system performance is best when project files are stored inside the WSL 2 Linux filesystem (/home/user/) rather than on the Windows side (/mnt/c/).
• Memory usage — Docker Desktop + WSL 2 can consume significant RAM. Configure limits in .wslconfig if needed.

Conclusion

Docker Desktop works perfectly on Windows Home Edition using the WSL 2 backend. There is no need to upgrade to Windows Pro for Linux container development. Just enable WSL 2, install Docker Desktop, and you’re ready to go.