Docker Desktop can use the Windows Subsystem for Linux version 2 (WSL 2) as its backend, providing improved performance and a seamless Linux container experience on Windows. This article explains what WSL 2 is, benefits for Docker users, installation prerequisites, and troubleshooting tips.

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Service Desk

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To meet prerequisites for running Phanes

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• Docker for Windows is already installed

1. Enable WSL 2:

• Open PowerShell as Administrator.

• Run:

    bash
  
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    `dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart
    dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart`

• Restart your computer.

2. Install a Linux Distribution:

• Open Microsoft Store.

• Search for and install a Linux distribution (e.g., Ubuntu).

3. Set WSL 2 as default version:

• Open PowerShell and run:

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    `wsl --set-default-version 2`

4. Configure Docker Desktop to use WSL 2:

• Open Docker Desktop.

• Go to Settings > General and ensure “Use the WSL 2 based engine” is checked.

• In Settings > Resources > WSL Integration, enable integration with your Linux distribution (e.g., Ubuntu).