Run Native Linux Docker on Windows WSL with Systemd: A Step‑by‑Step Guide

Background and Systemd Support in WSL

On September 21, 2022, Microsoft added systemd support to Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), initially for Windows 11. Systemd is the init system used by most mainstream Linux distributions, and its presence allows WSL to run services that depend on it, such as snap, LXD, and Docker, with proper PID 1 handling and clean shutdown.

Enabling Systemd

If systemd is not already active, edit the /etc/wsl.conf file and add the following section, then restart WSL (requires WSL version 0.67.6 or newer):

[boot]
systemd=true

Installing Native Docker on Ubuntu in WSL

The installation consists of four main steps:

Update the package index and install prerequisite packages.

apt update && apt -y install --no-install-recommends apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl gnupg2

Add Docker’s official APT repository.

echo "deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture)] https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu jammy stable" | tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list

Import Docker’s GPG key to verify packages.

curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg | tee /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/docker.asc

Refresh the package list again and install Docker Engine, CLI, containerd, and related plugins.

apt update && apt -y install --no-install-recommends docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-buildx-plugin docker-compose-plugin

Why Native Docker Matters

Running Docker directly inside WSL eliminates the need for heavyweight solutions like Docker Desktop, offering a lighter, faster, and more flexible development environment that behaves like a true Linux system. This improves productivity for developers who rely on containerization while staying on a Windows workstation.

Impact on Microsoft’s Development Ecosystem

The systemd addition showcases Microsoft’s commitment to enhancing WSL’s compatibility with the broader Linux ecosystem, thereby expanding tooling options and streamlining cross‑platform workflows for the developer community.

Conclusion

With systemd enabled, installing the Linux‑native Docker engine on WSL becomes straightforward, delivering near‑native Linux experience on Windows and fostering smoother, more efficient container‑based development.