How to build a Dockerfile on Windows 10?

Building a Dockerfile on Windows 11 is a common workflow for containerized development. Here’s how you can do it—step by step:

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1. Install Docker Desktop for Windows

• Go to the Docker Desktop download page.
• Download the Windows installer and run it.
• Follow the prompts (ensure “WSL2” support is selected, if available).
• NOTE: Windows 11 works best with WSL2.

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2. Write Your Dockerfile

• Use a code editor (e.g., VS Code, Notepad++).
• Save your Dockerfile as simply named: Dockerfile (no extension).
• Example (Python app):

FROM python:3.11-slim
WORKDIR /app
COPY . .
RUN pip install -r requirements.txt
CMD ["python", "app.py"]

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3. Open a Terminal

• On Windows, you can use:
• Windows Terminal (wt command)
• Command Prompt (cmd)
• PowerShell
• WSL2 Terminal (Recommended)

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4. Navigate to the Dockerfile Location

Use the cd command to go to your project directory:

cd path\to\your\project

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5. Build the Docker Image

Use the docker build command. For example:

docker build -t my-app:latest .

• -t my-app:latest gives your image a name and tag (latest).
• The final . means “use the Dockerfile in the current directory”.

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6. Run the Docker Container (Optional)

Test your image:

docker run --rm -it my-app:latest

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7. Troubleshooting

• If Docker commands aren’t recognized, make sure Docker Desktop is running.
• Check Windows Terminal settings if using WSL2, and ensure file sharing is set up for your code folders.

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Summary Table

Step	Command/Action
Install Docker	Download & install Docker Desktop
Write Dockerfile	Use text editor, save as Dockerfile
Open Terminal	PowerShell, CMD, WSL or Windows Terminal
Go to directory	cd path\to\project
Build image	docker build -t my-app:latest .
Run container	docker run --rm -it my-app:latest

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Tip: You can use Docker Desktop’s GUI to see your images and containers as well!