Docker Desktop for Windows is an application that provides an easy-to-use development environment for building, shipping, and running dockerized apps. This article will serve as an informative guide and give you a clear understanding of how to perform a silent installation of Docker Desktop for Windows from the command line using both EXE & MSI installers.
How to Install Docker Desktop Silently
Docker Desktop for Windows Silent Install (EXE)
- Navigate to: https://desktop.docker.com/win/main/amd64/Docker%20Desktop%20Installer.exe
- Download the “Docker Desktop Installer.exe” to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Navigate to the C:\Downloads folder
- Enter the following command:
"Docker Desktop Installer.exe" install --quiet - Press Enter
After a few minutes you should see the Docker Desktop Shortcut appear. You will also find entries in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
| Software Title: | Docker Desktop |
| Vendor: | Docker Inc. |
| Architecture: | x86_x64 |
| Installer Type: | EXE |
| Silent Install Switch: | |
| Silent Uninstall Switch: | "%ProgramFiles%\Docker\Docker\Docker Desktop Installer.exe" uninstall --quiet |
| Download Link: | https://desktop.docker.com/win/main/amd64/Docker%20Desktop%20Installer.exe |
| PowerShell Script: | https://silentinstallhq.com/docker-desktop-install-and-uninstall-powershell/ |
| Detection Script: | https://silentinstallhq.com/create-a-custom-detection-script-for-docker-desktop-powershell/ |
Docker Desktop Enterprise on Windows Silent Install (MSI)
- Navigate to: https://download.docker.com/win/enterprise/DockerDesktop.msi
- Download the DockerDesktop.msi to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Navigate to the C:\Downloads folder
- Enter the following command:
MsiExec.exe /i DockerDesktop.msi /qn - Press Enter
After a few minutes you should see the Docker Desktop Shortcut appear. You will also find entries in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
| Software Title: | Docker Desktop Enterprise |
| Vendor: | Docker Inc. |
| Architecture: | x86_x64 |
| Installer Type: | MSI |
| Silent Install Switch: | |
| Silent Uninstall Switch: | |
| Repair Command: | |
| Download Link: | https://download.docker.com/win/enterprise/DockerDesktop.msi |
| PowerShell Script: | https://silentinstallhq.com/docker-desktop-install-and-uninstall-powershell/ |
| Detection Script: | https://silentinstallhq.com/create-a-custom-detection-script-for-docker-desktop-powershell/ |
The information above provides a quick overview of the software title, vendor, silent install, and silent uninstall switches. The download links provided take you directly to the vendors website. Continue reading if you are interested in additional details and configurations.
Additional Configurations
Accept the Docker Subscription Service Agreement
Accepts the Docker Subscription Service Agreement now, rather than requiring it to be accepted when the application is first run.
"Docker Desktop Installer.exe" install --quiet --accept-license |
Disable Windows Containers Integration
Disables Docker Desktop Windows containers integration
"Docker Desktop Installer.exe" install --quiet --no-windows-containers |
Require User Sign In to Run Application
Requires the user to sign in and be part of the specified Docker Hub organization when running the application.
"Docker Desktop Installer.exe" install --quiet --allowed-org=<org name> |
Select Docker Desktop Default Backend
Selects the default backend to use for Docker Desktop – hyper-v, windows or wsl-2 (default)
"Docker Desktop Installer.exe" install --quiet --backend=<backend name> |
Create a Docker Desktop Installation Log File
The Docker Desktop MSI installer offers the option to generate a log file during installation to assist with troubleshooting should any problems arise. You can use the following commands to create a verbose log file with details about the installation.
Docker Desktop Enterprise on Windows (MSI) Silent Install with Logging
MsiExec.exe /i DockerDesktop.msi /qn /L*v "%WINDIR%\Temp\Docker-Install.log" |
Change the Docker Desktop Default Installation Directory
You can also change the default installation directory by using the following command line parameters. In this example, I’m installing Docker Desktop to “C:\Docker”
MsiExec.exe /i DockerDesktop.msi INSTALLDIR=C:\Docker /qn |
Exclude the Docker Desktop Shortcut During Install
The Docker Desktop Enterprise on Windows (MSI) installer creates a desktop shortcut by default. If you don’t want the desktop shortcut, then you can run the following command line switch to exclude it.
MsiExec.exe /i DockerDesktop.msi DESKTOPSHORTCUT=no /qn |
How to Uninstall Docker Desktop Silently
Check out the following posts for a scripted solution:
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Enter one of the following commands:
Docker Desktop for Windows (EXE) Silent Uninstall
"%ProgramFiles%\Docker\Docker\Docker Desktop Installer.exe" uninstall --quiet |
Docker Desktop Enterprise on Windows (MSI) Silent Uninstall
|
Always make sure to test everything in a development environment prior to implementing anything into production. The information in this article is provided “As Is” without warranty of any kind.