# Installing Discourse on windows using Docker Desktop

**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/installing-discourse-on-windows-using-docker-desktop/288251
**Category:** Self-hosting
**Created:** [December 11, 2023, 3:08pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/installing-discourse-on-windows-using-docker-desktop/288251 "2023-12-11T15:08:10Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![ISMAIL\_BELHOUSSAINE](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/ismail_belhoussaine/32/346360_2.png) [@ISMAIL\_BELHOUSSAINE](https://meta.discourse.org/u/ISMAIL_BELHOUSSAINE)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2023, 3:08pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/installing-discourse-on-windows-using-docker-desktop/288251/1 "2023-12-11T15:08:10Z")

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Hello all,

Using a windows corporate laptop, i cant really have WSL on my pc without admin rights. I was wondering if it is possible to use Discourse only using Docker Desktop without WSL ? I dont want my website to be accessible from the internet , mly purpose is to manipulate discourse in my local before going live later .

Thanks in advance.

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### Author: ![pfaffman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/pfaffman/32/120154_2.png) [@pfaffman](https://meta.discourse.org/u/pfaffman)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2023, 11:25am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/installing-discourse-on-windows-using-docker-desktop/288251/2 "2023-12-12T11:25:34Z")

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Maybe you can use [Install Discourse for development using Docker](https://meta.discourse.org/t/install-discourse-for-development-using-docker/102009)?

But unless you want to develop plugins, a cloud server is easier.

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### Author: ![ISMAIL\_BELHOUSSAINE](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/ismail_belhoussaine/32/346360_2.png) [@ISMAIL\_BELHOUSSAINE](https://meta.discourse.org/u/ISMAIL_BELHOUSSAINE)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2023, 11:29am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/installing-discourse-on-windows-using-docker-desktop/288251/3 "2023-12-12T11:29:28Z")

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I tried to but i cant use WSL because i dont have it installed on my computer and i cannot install it without admin rights…

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### Author: ![pfaffman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/pfaffman/32/120154_2.png) [@pfaffman](https://meta.discourse.org/u/pfaffman)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2023, 11:35am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/installing-discourse-on-windows-using-docker-desktop/288251/4 "2023-12-12T11:35:25Z")

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So it sounds like a cloud server will be the easiest way to go.

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### Author: ![Falco](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/falco/32/179432_2.png) [@Falco](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Falco)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2023, 3:35pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/installing-discourse-on-windows-using-docker-desktop/288251/5 "2023-12-12T15:35:53Z")

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Since Docker on Windows is a Linux VM, technically you could spin up a vanilla Ubuntu container and then follow [Install Discourse on Ubuntu or Debian for Development](https://meta.discourse.org/t/install-discourse-on-ubuntu-or-debian-for-development/14727).

Persistence would be a bit awkward, but depending on your need it’s better than nothing.