Installing Docker on Windows

Starting with the 8.2 version, BOINC supports applications that run in Docker containers.

On Windows, Docker requires Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). Windows 11 has WSL already enabled. On Windows 10, you need to enable WSL:

• click in the Windows search bar (lower left corner)
• click 'Control Panel'
• click 'Programs and Features'
• click 'Turn Windows features on or off'
• check the box for 'Windows Subsystem for Linux'
• click OK
• Restart the computer

Once WSL is enabled, install the latest version: https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/download/2.4.13/wsl.2.4.13.0.x64.msi

BOINC provides a WSL 'image' that contains Docker. Download it from https://github.com/BOINC/boinc-buda-runner-wsl and open it.

Open a terminal window (type 'cmd' in the Windows search box). In this window, type

wsl -d boinc-buda-runner

This will print some messages, ending with Podman setup complete. Close the terminal window.

Run the BOINC client. You should see something like

3/25/2025 3:15:16 PM |  | Usable WSL distros:
3/25/2025 3:15:16 PM |  | -   boinc-buda-runner (WSL 2) (default)
3/25/2025 3:15:16 PM |  | -      OS: Alpine Linux (Alpine Linux v3.21)
3/25/2025 3:15:16 PM |  | -      Docker version 5.3.2 (podman)

Note: Docker and VirtualBox are incompatible on Windows. If you're using VirtualBox for something other than BOINC, do not install Docker.