# Docker Desktop

This guide shows you how to install and use the tool with the most common configuration. For advanced options and complete reference information, see the official documentation. Some install guides also include optional next steps to help you explore related workflows or integrations.

## How do I install Docker Desktop?

| Reading time: | 15 min |
|----------------|--------|
| Last updated:  | 22 Jun 2026 |

| Author:           | Jason Andrews, Arm [GitHub](https://github.com/jasonrandrews) [LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/in/jason-andrews-7b05a8) |
|-------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
| Official docs:    | [View](https://docs.docker.com/desktop/)        |

## Install and test Docker Desktop

All of the download files are available on the [Docker Desktop product page](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/).

| Installation instructions                       |
|------------------------------------------------|
| [Windows](https://docs.docker.com/desktop/install/windows-install/) |
| [Linux](https://docs.docker.com/desktop/install/linux-install/)     |
| [macOS](https://docs.docker.com/desktop/install/mac-install)       |

**Note**  
Docker Desktop for Windows on Arm is available as a Beta release. It is fully documented and works the same as the x86 platform.  
For information about Docker Desktop on Arm Linux, see [Docker Desktop on Arm Linux](https://learn.arm.com/install-guides/docker/docker-desktop-arm-linux/).

On any platform, confirm the Docker Desktop installation is successful:

```
docker run hello-world
```

The output is a welcome message similar:

```
__output__ Hello from Docker!
__output__ This message shows that your installation appears to be working correctly.

__output__ To generate this message, Docker took the following steps:
__output__ 1. The Docker client contacted the Docker daemon.
__output__ 2. The Docker daemon pulled the "hello-world" image from the Docker Hub.
__output__    (amd64)
__output__ 3. The Docker daemon created a new container from that image which runs the
__output__    executable that produces the output you are currently reading.
__output__ 4. The Docker daemon streamed that output to the Docker client, which sent it
__output__    to your terminal.

__output__ To try something more ambitious, you can run an Ubuntu container with:
__output__ $ docker run -it ubuntu bash

__output__ Share images, automate workflows, and more with a free Docker ID:
__output__ https://hub.docker.com/

__output__ For more examples and ideas, visit:
__output__ https://docs.docker.com/get-started/
```

To identify the architecture, run:

```
uname -m
```

Apple Silicon is reported as `arm64`.

You can now use Docker Desktop and explore [Docker related Learning Paths](https://learn.arm.com/tag/docker/). You can also create an account on [Docker Hub](https://hub.docker.com) to share images and automate workflows.