winapps/docs/docker.md

Creating a Windows VM in Docker or Podman

Although WinApps supports using QEMU+KVM+libvirt as a backend for running Windows virtual machines, it is recommended to use Docker or Podman. These backends automate the setup process, eliminating the need for manual configuration and optimisation of the Windows virtual machine.

Important

Running a Windows virtual machine using Docker or Podman as a backend is only possible on GNU/Linux systems. This is due to the necessity of kernel interfaces, such as the KVM hypervisor, for achieving acceptable performance. The performance of the virtual machine can vary based on the version of the Linux kernel, with newer releases generally offering better performance.

Important

WinApps does NOT officially support versions of Windows prior to Windows 10. Despite this, it may be possible to achieve a successful installation with some additional experimentation. If you find a way to achieve this, please share your solution through a pull request for the benefit of other users.

Docker

Installation

You can find a guide for installing Docker Engine here.

Setup Docker Container

WinApps utilises docker compose to configure Windows VMs.

Important

The compose.yaml file located within the root directory of the WinApps repository must be manually copied to ~/.config/winapps/compose.yaml.

Prior to installing Windows, you can modify the RAM and number of CPU cores available to the Windows VM by changing RAM_SIZE and CPU_CORES within compose.yaml.

It is also possible to specify the version of Windows you wish to install within compose.yaml by modifying VERSION.

Note

WinApps uses a stripped-down Windows installation by default. Although this is recommended, you can request a stock Windows installation by changing VERSION to one of the versions listed in the README of the original GitHub repository.

Please refer to the original GitHub repository for more information on additional configuration options.

Installing Windows

You can initiate the Windows installation using docker compose.

docker compose --file ~/.config/winapps/compose.yaml up

You can then access the Windows virtual machine via a VNC connection to complete the Windows setup by navigating to http://127.0.0.1:8006 in your web browser.

Installing WinApps

Docker simplifies the WinApps installation process by eliminating the need for any additional configuration of the Windows virtual machine. Once the Windows virtual machine is up and running, you can directly launch the WinApps installer, which should automatically detect and interface with Windows.

Note

Since no Windows user password is set by default, Windows may automatically log in, which may cause the WinApps installation to fail due to complications establishing an RDP connection. To avoid this issue, please use the VNC connection to ensure that the Windows user is logged out before starting the WinApps installation.

./installer.sh

Changing compose.yaml

Changes require the Windows virtual machine to be removed and re-created using the updated compose.yaml. This should NOT affect your data.

docker compose --file ~/.config/winapps/compose.yaml down # Stop and remove the existing Windows virtual machine.
rm ~/.config/freerdp/server/127.0.0.1_3389.pem # Remove the existing FreeRDP certificate (a new certificate will be created automatically when connecting to the new virtual machine for the first time).
docker compose --file ~/.config/winapps/compose.yaml up # Re-create the virtual machine with the updated configuration.

Subsequent Use

docker compose --file ~/.config/winapps/compose.yaml start # Power on the Windows VM
docker compose --file ~/.config/winapps/compose.yaml pause # Pause the Windows VM
docker compose --file ~/.config/winapps/compose.yaml unpause # Resume the Windows VM
docker compose --file ~/.config/winapps/compose.yaml restart # Restart the Windows VM
docker compose --file ~/.config/winapps/compose.yaml stop # Gracefully shut down the Windows VM
docker compose --file ~/.config/winapps/compose.yaml kill # Force shut down the Windows VM

Podman

Installation

1. Install Podman using this guide.
2. Install podman-compose using this guide.

Setup Podman Container

Please follow the docker instructions.

Note

Ensure WAFLAVOR is set to "podman" in ~/.config/winapps/winapps.conf.

Installing Windows

You can initiate the Windows installation using podman-compose.

podman-compose --file ~/.config/winapps/compose.yaml up

You can then access the Windows virtual machine via a VNC connection to complete the Windows setup by navigating to http://127.0.0.1:8006 in your web browser.

Installing WinApps

Please follow the docker instructions.

Changing compose.yaml

Please follow the docker instructions.

Subsequent Use

podman-compose --file ~/.config/winapps/compose.yaml start # Power on the Windows VM
podman-compose --file ~/.config/winapps/compose.yaml pause # Pause the Windows VM
podman-compose --file ~/.config/winapps/compose.yaml unpause # Resume the Windows VM
podman-compose --file ~/.config/winapps/compose.yaml restart # Restart the Windows VM
podman-compose --file ~/.config/winapps/compose.yaml stop # Gracefully shut down the Windows VM
podman-compose --file ~/.config/winapps/compose.yaml kill # Force shut down the Windows VM