“WSL containers” can mean Microsoft’s built-in wslc.exe command-line tool or the more established Docker Desktop workflow using its WSL 2 backend. Both run Linux containers through a Linux environment on Windows, but they are separate setups. Install WSL first, then follow the route that matches the tools you want to use.
Before you start: choose the container workflow
Microsoft’s wslc.exe is a container CLI shipped with WSL. Docker Desktop is a separate application with its own engine settings and WSL integration, and it is the relevant route for Docker-based development workflows such as Dev Containers. The reviewed documentation does not establish full feature parity between the two, so do not assume one is a universal replacement for the other.
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| Route | Choose it when | Key setup detail |
|---|---|---|
Microsoft’s wslc.exe |
You specifically want to use WSL’s built-in container CLI. | Microsoft’s cited documentation requires WSL 2.9.3 or later and describes the feature as pre-release. |
| Docker Desktop with WSL 2 | You want Docker Desktop tooling, including its WSL integration for a Linux distribution or a Dev Containers workflow. | Enable the WSL 2 based engine and integration for the distribution you use. |
These instructions concern Linux containers. Linux containers share a Linux kernel, so Windows uses a Linux environment for them. Windows containers are a different workload and mode; identify the image type you intend to run before applying Linux-container setup or troubleshooting steps. See Microsoft’s WSL containers tutorial and Microsoft’s Windows containers quick-start guidance.
Install WSL and set up a Linux distribution
- Open PowerShell as an administrator.
- Run
wsl --install. Microsoft says this enables the required Windows features and installs the default Ubuntu distribution. Restart Windows if prompted. - Launch the installed Linux distribution from the Start menu and complete its first-run setup.
- If WSL was already installed and
wsl --installdisplays help rather than installing a distribution, list available distributions withwsl --list --online, then install one withwsl --install -d <DistroName>.
Follow Microsoft’s WSL installation instructions and environment setup guidance if you need the full distribution setup details.
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Option 1: Install and use Microsoft’s built-in wslc.exe
Microsoft documents wslc.exe as a WSL-shipped Linux container CLI, with a minimum WSL version of 2.9.3. Its tutorial currently describes the feature as pre-release and directs users to update to pre-release WSL builds. Because release status and version requirements can change, check Microsoft’s live documentation before installing or relying on this route.
- In PowerShell, update WSL to the pre-release build as directed by Microsoft:
wsl --update --pre-release. - Check Microsoft’s current WSL containers documentation for the applicable version requirement and any release-status changes.
- Use Microsoft’s documented example to run an Ubuntu container:
wslc run --rm -it ubuntu:latest bash -c "echo Hello world from WSL container!". - To list images, use the documented example command:
wslc image ls.
The commands above are examples published by Microsoft, not a claim of an independently tested installation. See the WSL containers tutorial and Microsoft’s WSL release notes for current details.
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Option 2: Configure Docker Desktop to use WSL 2
- Install Docker Desktop for Windows using Docker’s Windows installation guide.
- Open Docker Desktop and go to Settings > General. Enable Use WSL 2 based engine.
- Go to Settings > Resources > WSL integration and enable integration for the Linux distribution you plan to use.
- For a VS Code Dev Containers workflow, make sure Docker Desktop is running before opening VS Code.
For Docker-based development, Microsoft recommends keeping project files in the WSL filesystem—for example, /home/yourname/projects/. Accessing files stored on the Windows filesystem crosses the OS boundary and can be significantly slower, particularly during builds and file watching. See Microsoft’s Windows-specific Dev Containers guidance.
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Check the container type before troubleshooting
If a container will not start, first establish whether its image is for Linux or Windows containers. Linux containers need a Linux environment; Windows containers are a distinct workload and are not enabled merely by configuring WSL’s Linux-container workflow. Microsoft’s WSL container documentation and Windows containers quick start describe these as separate paths.
Quick Recap
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