Install WSL 2 and Docker Engine on Windows

This guide explains how to prepare a Windows system for installing NiralOS EDGE by installing Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL 2) and Docker Desktop.

Prerequisites #

Before you begin, ensure:

• Windows 10 (Version 22H2 or later) or Windows 11 
• Administrator access to the computer 
• Stable Internet connection 
• Hardware virtualization enabled in BIOS/UEFI 

Note

Docker Desktop uses WSL 2 as its backend. Installing WSL 2 is required before installing Docker Desktop.

Step 1: Open Windows PowerShell as Administrator #

1. Click the Start menu. 
2. Search for PowerShell. 
3. Right-click Windows PowerShell. 
4. Select Run as Administrator. 

You should see Administrator: Windows PowerShell in the title bar.

Step 2. Install Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2) #

Run the following command:

wsl --install

This command automatically:

• Enables Windows Subsystem for Linux 
• Enables the Virtual Machine Platform feature 
• Downloads the latest Linux kernel 
• Installs WSL 2 
• Installs Ubuntu as the default Linux distribution 

Example: PS C:\Users\User> wsl –install

Step 3. Restart Your Computer #

After installation completes, restart Windows when prompted.

Restarting is required for the WSL features to become active.

Step 4. Complete Ubuntu Initialization #

After Windows restarts:

1. Ubuntu launches automatically. 
2. Wait for initialization to complete. 
3. Create a Linux username. 
4. Create a Linux password. 

Example

Enter new UNIX username: john

New password: ********

Retype new password: ********

This account is used only inside WSL.

Step 5. Verify WSL Installation #

Open PowerShell and run:

wsl --status

Expected output should indicate:

• Default Version: 2 
• WSL Version installed 
• Linux Kernel version

Verify installed distributions:

wsl -l -v

Example

Ensure the VERSION column shows 2.

Step 6. Download Docker Desktop #

Open your web browser and download Docker Desktop for Windows from:

https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop

Step 7. Install Docker Desktop #

Run the downloaded installer.

During installation, ensure the following option is enabled:

• ✔ Use WSL 2 instead of Hyper-V (recommended) 

Continue through the installation wizard.

Step 8: Restart Windows (If Prompted) #

Some systems require another restart after Docker Desktop installation.

Restart the computer if prompted.

Step 9: Launch Docker Desktop #

Open Docker Desktop from the Start Menu.

The first launch may take several minutes while Docker initializes.

Wait until Docker Desktop displays:

Docker Engine is running

Step 10: Enable WSL Integration #

Inside Docker Desktop:

1. Open Settings 
2. Select Resources 
3. Select WSL Integration 
4. Enable integration for your Ubuntu distribution 
5. Click Apply & Restart

Step 11: Verify Docker Installation #

Open PowerShell.

Check the Docker version:

docker --version

Example: Docker version 28.x.x

Verify Docker Engine:

docker info

You should see Docker system information without errors.

Step 12: Test Docker #

Run the official hello-world container:

docker run hello-world

If Docker is working correctly, you should see a message similar to:

Hello from Docker!

This message shows that your installation appears to be working correctly.

Step 13: Verify Docker Permissions #

Confirm that the current user can execute Docker commands without errors.

Run:

docker ps

If an empty container list is displayed, Docker is functioning correctly.

Installation Complete #

Your Windows system is now ready to install NiralOS EDGE.

You can proceed with the interactive installer:

irm https://niraledge.com/install.ps1 | iex

Troubleshooting #

WSL Is Not Installed #

If wsl –install is not recognized:

• Update Windows to the latest version. 
• Ensure virtualization is enabled in BIOS/UEFI. 
• Enable the Windows Subsystem for Linux and Virtual Machine Platform optional features.

Docker Desktop Does Not Start #

Verify:

• WSL 2 is installed. 
• Docker Desktop is using the WSL 2 backend. 
• Virtualization is enabled. 
• Docker Desktop is updated to the latest version.

Docker Command Not Found #

Restart PowerShell after installation.

If the issue persists:

1. Close Docker Desktop. 
2. Restart Docker Desktop. 
3. Open a new PowerShell window. 
4. Run:

docker --version