How can I install Discourse on Windows? Getting restarting (100) error

[Turgut_Ordu]

Hi everyone,

I have been trying to install Discourse on both Windows and Mac for several hours but I always end up with the same issue.

After running the setup and starting the container, when I check with docker ps, the Discourse container is stuck in:

Restarting (100)

I tried using Docker Desktop on both Windows and macOS, but I couldn’t get it to work. I don’t need production setup yet, I just want to run Discourse locally for testing and development.

Can anyone share a simple, step-by-step guide to install Discourse on Windows (or Mac) that actually works?
Do I need to use WSL2 + Ubuntu, or is there a way to run it directly with Docker Desktop?

Thanks in advance!

[Lilly (Lillian)]

hi there welcome!

did you follow this guide?

Install Discourse for development using Docker

Developing using Docker Since Discourse runs in Docker, you should be able to run Discourse directly from your source directory using a Discourse development container. Pros: No need to install any system dependencies, no configuration needed at all for setting up a development environment quickly. Cons: Will be slightly slower than the native dev environment on Ubuntu, and much slower than a native install on MacOS. See also Developing Discourse using a Dev Container …

[tobiaseigen]

Hi Turgut! Were you able to get Discourse installed on windows using the guide? That should work.

If you are new to Discourse then the easiest way to get started is actually the official install guide, using a VPN like digitalocean.

[merefield (Robert)]

@Turgut_Ordu

Do I need to use WSL2 + Ubuntu,

Yes you do (on Windows)