How to Relocate Docker Desktop Images from C: Drive to Another Disk

Overview

Docker Desktop stores its image files on the C: drive by default; as the number and size of images grow, the C: partition can run out of space. The following steps show how to change the storage location by moving the underlying WSL instance.

Step 0x01 – Locate Docker’s Data Folder

Open Docker Desktop, go to Settings → Resources → Advanced . The right‑hand pane displays the current storage path. Copy the path and open it; the docker-desktop-data folder inside contains Docker’s data.

Step 0x02 – Export the docker-desktop-data Instance

First stop the Docker Desktop application. Then verify that the WSL instance is stopped with: wsl --list -v If the instance shows Running, shut down WSL: wsl --shutdown Export the instance to a backup file on the target drive (example uses D:\docker\docker-desktop-data.tar):

wsl --export docker-desktop-data D:\docker\docker-desktop-data.tar

D:\docker\docker-desktop-data.tar is the backup file location.

Step 0x03 – Unregister the Existing Instance

Remove the current WSL instance so it can be re‑imported elsewhere:

wsl --unregister docker-desktop-data

Step 0x04 – Import the Instance to a New Location

Import the previously exported tar file to the desired directory (example uses D:\docker\data) and specify the WSL version (2):

wsl --import docker-desktop-data D:\docker\data D:\docker\docker-desktop-data.tar --version 2

docker-desktop-data

– the instance name (must remain unchanged). D:\docker\data – the new folder where the instance will reside. D:\docker\docker-desktop-data.tar – the backup file created earlier.

After import, open the folder in Explorer to confirm the migration succeeded.

Verification

List the imported instance to ensure it is registered:

wsl --list -v

Start Docker Desktop and verify that images and containers appear correctly.

Conclusion

By following these steps, users can move Docker Desktop’s image storage from the C: drive to another disk, freeing up space and improving the overall Docker experience.