Migrate from Docker Desktop to Rancher Desktop

Background

Docker desktop requires a (paid) license to use in Majority since we are above their licensing limits: Docker desktop licensing. At the same time, we do not really use many features of Docker Desktop and can use an alternative such as Rancher Desktop.

Note that in comparison to Docker desktop, Rancher's GUI does not have as many features. You will need to pull, run and list running containers from the command line. (On the other hand, it can be seen as an advantage to be forced to learn it since that is knowledge useful in many contexts!)

Steps to migrate

These steps assume you are ok to lose any saved state in your existing containers.

1. Note down those docker images you have and are running (in case you want to pull/run them again)
2. uninstall docker desktop
3. Install Rancher desktop (as admin):
   • Installer on https://rancherdesktop.io/
   • Use dockerd (Moby)
   • No need for Kubernetes unless you want it
4. Start rancher and let it initialize
5. Try to install some image you usually use. For example, MSSQL: docker run --restart always --name "sql-server" -e "ACCEPT_EULA=Y" -e "SA_PASSWORD=L0f0t3n!" -p 1433:1433 -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:latest
6. If it starts up, and you can connect, then all is good.