docker
Running windows-containers by default after Docker desktop installation
Catching up on #187 and #80 here …
Please, add an option to using Windows containers only and start Docker Desktop with using Windows containers by default.
Currently, it's a PITA to install Docker Desktop on Windows servers, as Windows servers don't provide a Microsoft Store app for downloading a Linux distribution. It becomes even more pain with Docker Desktop installations on on-premise Windows Server VMs, residing within a restricted environment that doesn't have Internet access. And this is even more true if no Linux containers are required for .NET Framework CI/CD at all.
So, installing WSL 2 and Linux containers on Windows servers is an unnecessary (and painful) burdon and waste of administration time if Linux containers are not required for the desired CI/CD purpose.
It's mind-boggling that after the above issues have been raised years ago, you currently do provide a --no-windows-containers switch but no --no-wsl-containers switch.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention! I will investigate whether this is a feasible adjustment for us to implement.
However, it's important to note that our metrics indicate the majority of our Windows users are utilizing WSL, and less than 3% are using Windows containers. Consequently, unless the implementation proves to be straightforward, it may not be prioritized immediately.
We appreciate your understanding and value your input as we continue to enhance our services.
Are you trying to run DD on Windows server? It is not supported, see here: https://docs.docker.com/desktop/faqs/windowsfaqs/#can-i-run-docker-desktop-on-windows-server
FYI, our partner, Mirantis, can support this use case: https://www.mirantis.com/blog/windows-server-container-users-mirantis-is-here-to-support-you
Thanks for sharing this valuable information!
So, this solves the issue of not being able to download a Linux distribution using the Microsoft app store on Windows servers.
Yet, it doesn't solve the issue of installing Docker Desktop to machines not being connected to the Internet, because you cannot use the Microsoft app store here, either, even on Windows 10/11 machines.
Installing and maintaining WSL 2 and Linux distributions is still a great issue when there's only a requirement for using Windows containers. In these cases, being required to install all the Linux prerequisites still puts unnecessary burdon to administrators.