🐳 How to Install Docker on Windows, Linux, and Mac

Step-by-step guide to get Docker running on your system in just a few minutes.

🔧 What You'll Learn

In this guide, we’ll walk through how to install Docker on:

• ✅ Windows 10/11

• ✅ Linux (Ubuntu)

• ✅ macOS (Intel or Apple Silicon)

Whether you’re building apps, learning DevOps, or exploring containers, this setup is your first step into Docker.

💻 What is Docker Again?

Docker is a platform that lets you package apps into containers — lightweight, portable environments that run the same anywhere.
To run Docker, you need to install Docker Desktop or the Docker Engine based on your OS.

🪟 Installing Docker on Windows 10/11

✅ Prerequisites:

• Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit, Pro/Enterprise or WSL2 support on Home)

• WSL2 backend enabled (for Windows Home)

• 🛠 Steps:

  1. Download Docker Desktop
     🔗 Get it from here

  2. Run the Installer
     Follow the installation wizard. Check the option to use W**SL2 backend**.

  3. Restart your PC (if prompted)

  4. Verify Installation
     Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and type:

      docker --version
     

5. Run a Test Container

    docker run hello-world

✅ You’re good to go! 🎉

🐧 Installing Docker on Linux (Ubuntu Example)

✅ Prerequisites:

• Ubuntu 20.04+ or similar Debian-based distro

• sudo access

🛠 Steps:

1. Update packages

    sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
   

2. Install required packages

    sudo apt install ca-certificates curl gnupg lsb-release
   

3. Add Docker’s GPG key

    curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/docker.gpg
   

4. Set up the Docker repo

    sudo apt update
    sudo apt install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io
   

5. Install Docker Engine

    sudo apt update
    sudo apt install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io
   

6. Verify Installation

    docker --version
    docker run hello-world
   

🎉 Docker is now running on your Linux box!

🍏 Installing Docker on macOS (Intel & M1/M2)

✅ Prerequisites:

• macOS 11+ (Big Sur or newer)

• Intel or Apple Silicon (M1/M2 chip)

🛠 Steps:

1. Download Docker Desktop for Mac
   🔗 Download Here

2. Install the app

   • Drag Docker.app into your Applications folder

3. Run Docker Desktop

   • On first launch, give it necessary permissions

4. Verify Installation Open Terminal and type:

    docker --version
    docker run hello-world
   

✨ You're now ready to containerize on macOS!

🧠 Pro Tip: Use Docker Compose

Once Docker is set up, try Docker Compose to manage multi-container apps:

docker compose version

If not installed, it usually comes bundled with Docker Desktop.

🏁 Final Thoughts

Installing Docker is your first step toward mastering modern development, automation, and deployment.

In upcoming posts, we’ll show how to:

• Create your first Dockerfile

• Build and run a custom app in Docker

• Share containers with others