# Docker Desktop - **Name:** Docker Desktop - **Full title:** Docker Desktop: Containers & Kubernetes on Windows - **Version:** 4.95.0 - **Developer:** Docker, Inc. - **License:** Shareware / Trial - **Platform:** Windows - **Requires:** Windows 10 / 11 - **File type:** EXE Installer - **Size:** 607.3 MB - **Category:** Developer Tools - **Updated:** 2026-10-12 - **SHA-256:** 73431db38491f770543880366228a23c993f84d1e8e045f56d83b8a98940cf76 - **Canonical page:** https://filecobra.com/app/docker-desktop-pc/ - **Download page:** https://filecobra.com/download/docker-desktop-pc/ - **Direct download:** https://desktop.docker.com/win/main/amd64/Docker%20Desktop%20Installer.exe > Docker Desktop brings container development to Windows: build, run, and share containerized apps with Docker Engine, Docker Compose, and a builtin Kubernetes cluster, managed through a clean dashboard. Version 4.94.0… Docker Desktop brings container development to Windows: build, run, and share containerized apps with Docker Engine, Docker Compose, and a built-in Kubernetes cluster, managed through a clean dashboard. Version 4.94.0 continues the steady cadence of performance and WSL 2 integration improvements. It is how most developers run databases, message queues, and microservices locally without installing any of them directly on Windows. ## Installation 1. **Download the installer** — Download Docker Desktop from the official vendor link on this page. 2. **Run the setup** — Open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen installation steps. 3. **Launch the app** — Start Docker Desktop from the Start menu or desktop shortcut. ## Editorial verdict Docker Desktop is how most developers run containers on Windows: it bundles the Docker engine, Kubernetes, Docker Compose, and a GUI dashboard into one installer, running Linux containers inside a lightweight WSL 2 backend. Version 4.95.0 (October 2026) is a stability-focused release — engine-startup, sign-in, and Kubernetes fixes — on top of a WSL 2 backend where image pulls, build caching, and file sharing are all noticeably faster than the Hyper-V era. We built a multi-stage Node image and ran a Postgres plus Redis compose stack; containers started in seconds, and the dashboard's log viewer and exec terminal meant we rarely touched the CLI for routine checks. The licensing is the thing to read carefully: free for personal use, education, and small businesses, but larger companies need a paid subscription — the terms are stated in the installer, and we repeat them here because teams do get surprised. It is also heavyweight by design: several gigabytes on disk, a few gigabytes of RAM reserved, and WSL 2 required. For solo developers and small teams who want 'it works on my machine' to actually be true, it remains the fastest route to containers on Windows. ### Strengths - One installer delivers the Docker engine, Compose, Kubernetes, and a GUI dashboard — no separate VM setup or manual daemon configuration. - The WSL 2 backend runs Linux containers natively with fast file sharing, replacing the old Hyper-V virtual machine and its sluggish volume mounts. - The dashboard shows running containers, logs, resource usage, and a one-click terminal per container, so routine checks rarely need the CLI. - Build caching, BuildKit, and multi-stage builds are on by default, keeping image rebuilds during development down to seconds. - Extensions and Dev Environments let teams share reproducible setups — a new developer gets the whole stack running from a single compose file. ### Trade-offs - Licensing: free for personal use, education, and small business, but companies above the employee and revenue thresholds need a paid subscription — read the terms before rolling it out at work. - Heavyweight by design: several gigabytes of disk for images plus reserved RAM, and it requires WSL 2 with virtualization enabled in the BIOS. - Windows containers (as opposed to Linux containers) remain a second-class experience — most images and tutorials assume the Linux backend. ## FAQ **Is Docker Desktop free?** Free for personal use, education, non-commercial open source, and small businesses. Larger companies need a paid Docker subscription — check Docker's current terms for your organization. **Does Docker Desktop work on Windows Home?** Yes, via WSL 2. Docker Desktop requires the WSL 2 backend on both Windows Home and Pro. **What is the difference between Docker Desktop and Docker Engine?** Docker Engine is the Linux container runtime. Docker Desktop bundles the Engine with a Windows-friendly installer, dashboard, Compose, and Kubernetes — everything in one package. **Do I need Kubernetes enabled?** No — enable the built-in single-node cluster only if you are learning or testing Kubernetes specifically; Compose covers most local development. --- Source: https://filecobra.com/app/docker-desktop-pc/ · Mirrored from the publisher's own release channel by FileCobra. FileCobra runs no antivirus lab of its own.