Windows 11 can now run Linux containers without Docker, and I tested if WSL Containers could actually replace it
xda-developers.com/windows-11-can-now-run-linux-containers-without-docker-tested/
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WSL Containers proves viable Docker replacement for developmentThe test found Docker-like start times but also missing features for infrastructure intended to run continuously.
Key FactsAug 15, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
- Each wslc container received its own VM using about 1.5 GB of memory, and that VM required a separate shutdown after the container ended.
- Measured warm starts took 357 to 384 milliseconds with wslc and 426 to 463 milliseconds with Docker Desktop, while cold-start ranges of 2,387 to 2,611 and 2,629 to 2,973 milliseconds were close.
- An unmodified CUDA 12.4 image accessed the RTX 5090 immediately with the `--gpus-all` parameter, while nginx became reachable only after an explicit publication to `0.0.0.0`.
- The built-in wslc Compose feature failed in version 2.9.3, but the community tool wslc-compose successfully launched a test setup containing nginx and Postgres.
The big question is whether or not wslc can replace Docker Desktop. And for me, that’s a big yes.— From the XDA article's author, Joe, describing his hands-on testing of Windows Subsystem for Linux Containers (WSL Containers) and whether they can replace Docker Desktop.
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Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com
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