How to Set Up Docker for .NET Applications on Windows (Without Docker Desktop)

 

Introduction

This guide explains how to use Docker and set up a Windows container for a .NET application without Docker Desktop. Follow these steps to install Docker, configure your environment, and deploy your .NET app in a container.

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Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure:

Hyper-V is enabled on your Windows machine.

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Step 1: Install Docker on Windows

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator

Run PowerShell with admin rights to execute Docker installation commands.

2. Configure Your System for Containers & Install Docker

Run the following PowerShell script to enable Windows features for containers and install.

Please refer : Microsoft Document
 Docker:

powershell

Invoke-WebRequest -UseBasicParsing "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/microsoft/Windows-Containers/Main/helpful_tools/Install-DockerCE/install-docker-ce.ps1" -o install-docker-ce.ps1
.\install-docker-ce.ps1

This will set up Docker on your Windows machine.

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Step 2: Set Up Docker Environment Variables

3. Create a Docker Folder & Update System Path

1. Open File Explorer and go to C:\Program Files\.

2. Create a new folder named Docker.

3. Add this folder to the system environment variables:

   • Search for "Environment Variables" in Windows and open it.

   • Under System Variables, find Path, click Edit, and add:

     
     

     C:\Program Files\Docker

4. Run Additional Setup Scripts

Execute the below PowerShell scripts one after another:

powershell

[Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [Net.SecurityProtocolType]::Tls12

powershell

 Start-BitsTransfer -Source "https://github.com/docker/compose/releases/download/v2.35.0/docker-compose-windows-x86_64.exe" -Destination $Env:ProgramFiles\Docker\docker-compose.exe

5. Verify Docker Installation

Open PowerShell or Command Prompt and run:

bash

docker-compose -v

If installed correctly, this will display the Docker Compose version.

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Step 3: Install Azure CLI (Optional but Recommended)

Download and install the 64-bit version of Azure CLI 

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Step 4: Configure Docker Settings

6. Update Docker Configuration (daemon.json)

1. Navigate to:

   
   

   C:\ProgramData\docker\config

2. Open (or create) daemon.json in a text editor.

3. Make Sure update TCP and file look like as below
   
   

   
   
   

7. Add Docker Environment Variable

1. Open Environment Variables again.

2. Under System Variables, click New and add:

   • Variable Name: DOCKER_HOST

   • Variable Value: tcp://127.0.0.1:2376

8. Test Docker Commands

Run the following in both admin and non-admin Command Prompt:

bash

docker images

If Docker is working, this will list available images (empty if none exist).

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Step 5: Create a Docker Image for .NET Application

Folder Structure

Note: SpendSmart is project here.

Organize your project as follows:

ProjectFolder/  
│── Dockerfile  
│── SpendSmart.csproj  
│── (Other project files)  

Dockerfile Example

dockerfile

FROM mcr.microsoft.com/dotnet/aspnet:8.0-windowsservercore-ltsc2019 AS base  
WORKDIR /app  
EXPOSE 5000  
ENV ASPNETCORE_URLS=http://+:5000  

FROM mcr.microsoft.com/dotnet/sdk:8.0-windowsservercore-ltsc2019 AS build  
ARG configuration=Release  
WORKDIR /src  
COPY ["SpendSmart.csproj", "./"]  
RUN dotnet restore "SpendSmart.csproj"  
COPY . .  
WORKDIR "/src/."  
RUN dotnet build "SpendSmart.csproj" -c $configuration -o /app/build  
RUN dotnet publish "SpendSmart.csproj" -c $configuration -o /app/publish /p:UseAppHost=false  

FROM base AS final  
WORKDIR /app  
COPY --from=build /app/publish .  
ENTRYPOINT ["dotnet", "SpendSmart.dll"]  

Build the Docker Image

Run this command in the folder containing the Dockerfile:

bash

docker build -t spendsmart:latest .

Run the Docker Container

bash

docker run -d -p 5000:5000 --name spendsmart_container spendsmart:latest

Verify the Application

Open a browser and navigate to:

http://localhost:5000

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Conclusion

You’ve successfully set up Docker on Windows without Docker Desktop and deployed a .NET application in a container. This method is useful for developers who prefer lightweight Docker setups.

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