Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Docker on CentOS, Ubuntu, and Windows

CentOS Docker Installation

1. Uninstall old versions (if any)

yum remove docker docker-common docker-selinux docker-engine

2. Install required packages

yum install -y yum-utils device-mapper-persistent-data lvm2

// yum-utils provides yum-config-manager // device mapper storage driver needs device-mapper-persistent-data and lvm2 3. Add Docker yum repository

yum-config-manager --add-repo https://download.docker.com/linux/centos/docker-ce.repo

4. List available Docker versions yum list docker-ce --showduplicates | sort -r 5. Install Docker

yum -y install docker-ce   # installs the latest stable version

yum -y install docker-ce-17.03.1.ce   # install a specific version

6. Start Docker and enable on boot

systemctl start docker

systemctl enable docker

7. Verify installation

docker version

Ubuntu 14.04 / 16.04 Docker Installation

# Step 1: Remove old versions
apt-get remove docker docker-engine docker.io containerd runc

# Step 2: Update package index
apt-get update

# Step 3: Install prerequisite packages
apt-get -y install apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl software-properties-common

# Step 4: Add Docker’s official GPG key
curl -fsSL http://mirrors.aliyun.com/docker-ce/linux/ubuntu/gpg | sudo apt-key add -

# Step 5: Set up the stable repository
add-apt-repository "deb [arch=amd64] http://mirrors.aliyun.com/docker-ce/linux/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) stable"

# Step 6: Install Docker CE
apt-get -y install docker-ce

# (Optional) Install a specific version
apt-get -y install docker-ce=[VERSION]

Windows Docker Installation

Win7 / Win8 – Docker Toolbox

Download Docker Toolbox from http://mirrors.aliyun.com/docker-toolbox/windows/docker-toolbox/ and run the installer, selecting the required components.

After installation three icons appear; launch the Docker QuickStart Terminal.

If a User Account Control prompt appears, click Yes to allow VirtualBox to make changes.

Win10 – Docker Desktop

Docker Desktop for Windows 10 requires Hyper‑V to be enabled.

Enable Hyper‑V via Programs and Features → Turn Windows features on or off → Hyper‑V .

Download Docker Desktop from https://www.docker.com/get-docker , run the installer, and follow the prompts (Next → Finish).

After installation Docker starts automatically; a whale icon appears in the system tray.

Verify the installation with:

docker version

docker run hello-world

If Docker does not start automatically, launch it from the Start menu or by searching “Docker”.