Virtualization has always been a powerful way to run multiple operating systems on a single machine. But what if you could spin up a fully functional Windows installation inside a Docker container, just as easily as you deploy a Linux service? That’s exactly what Dockur/Windows delivers — and it’s one of the most exciting projects for developers, system admins, and tech enthusiasts in 2025.

What Is Dockur/Windows?

Dockur/Windows is an open-source project that lets you run Windows operating systems inside Docker containers. With over 37,000 GitHub stars and thousands of forks, it has become one of the most popular ways to experiment with Windows virtualization without needing heavy hypervisor setups.

It combines KVM acceleration, automatic ISO downloads, and a web-based viewer, making it incredibly simple to get Windows up and running on your host.

In just a few minutes, you can deploy Windows 11, Windows 10, or even classics like Windows XP or Server 2003.

Key Features ✨

• 🚀 Automatic ISO Downloader – no hunting for Windows ISOs; the container does it for you.
• ⚡ KVM Acceleration – blazing-fast virtualization on supported hardware.
• 🌐 Web-Based Viewer – access installation and desktop directly via your browser on port 8006.
• 🔧 Full Customization – control CPU, RAM, storage, language, keyboard layout, editions, and more.
• 📂 File Sharing – bind mount host folders to access them from inside Windows.
• 📡 RDP Support – connect via Microsoft Remote Desktop for better performance.
• 🖥️ Wide OS Support – from Windows 11 Pro to legacy XP, Vista, and Windows 2000.
• 🛠️ Legal & Open-Source – no pirated ISOs; it only uses official Microsoft trial ISOs.

How Easy Is It to Use?

Running Windows inside Docker has never been simpler. Here’s an example with Docker Compose:

services:
  windows:
    image: dockurr/windows
    container_name: windows
    environment:
      VERSION: "11"
      RAM_SIZE: "8G"
      CPU_CORES: "4"
      DISK_SIZE: "128G"
    devices:
      - /dev/kvm
      - /dev/net/tun
    cap_add:
      - NET_ADMIN
    ports:
      - 8006:8006
      - 3389:3389/tcp
      - 3389:3389/udp
    volumes:
      - ./windows:/storage
    restart: always

After launching, simply visit http://localhost:8006 in your browser, watch the automated installation, and within minutes you’ll be greeted with a fully working Windows desktop.

Supported Versions

Dockur/Windows supports a wide range of editions, including:

• Windows 11 Pro / LTSC / Enterprise
• Windows 10 Pro / LTSC / Enterprise
• Windows 8.1 Enterprise
• Windows 7 Ultimate
• Windows XP Professional
• Windows 2000 Professional
• Windows Server editions (2003–2025)

You can even use custom ISOs by specifying a URL or mounting a local .iso file.

Why Is This Important?

Traditionally, running Windows required dedicated VMs via VirtualBox, VMware, or Hyper-V. These solutions are resource-heavy and less portable.

With Dockur/Windows, you get:

• Lightweight deployment – run anywhere Docker runs.
• Infrastructure-as-code – reproducible Windows environments defined in YAML.
• Portability – move your Windows environment between servers easily.
• Integration – combine Windows containers with Linux microservices seamlessly.

Use Cases 💡

• 🔬 Software Testing – instantly spin up legacy Windows builds for QA.
• 🎮 Retro Gaming – bring back Windows XP or 7 environments for classic games.
• 📦 CI/CD Pipelines – test Windows applications in automated workflows.
• 💻 Learning & Training – safe sandbox for students and professionals.
• 🏗️ Server Labs – deploy Windows Server editions alongside Linux services.

Final Thoughts

Dockur/Windows is a game-changer for developers and IT enthusiasts. It transforms Windows from a heavyweight virtual machine into a Dockerized, portable, and scriptable service.

If you’ve ever dreamed of running Windows inside Docker with minimal setup, this project is for you.

👉 Check it out here: Dockur/Windows on GitHub