Docker Desktop + WSL2 Explained: How Ubuntu on Windows 11 Really Uses Docker

Published 01/09/2026

Description

In this video, I explain how Docker Desktop on Windows 11 works with Ubuntu in WSL2 and why running docker ps inside Ubuntu does not necessarily mean you are using a separate Docker Engine inside that Linux distro. Contents: 0:00 - Introduction 0:11 - Description 1:04 - Docker Configuration 1:55 - WSL2 2:45 - Ubuntu with Integration 5:39 - Ubuntu without Integration 7:03 - Conclusion You will see how WSL integration in Docker Desktop works, how to check which Ubuntu distributions are connected, how to verify whether your distro is using the Docker Desktop daemon, and how this differs from installing Docker Engine directly inside Ubuntu. I also compare the integrated setup versus a fully isolated Docker installation in WSL2, show commands like wsl -l -v, docker ps, and docker context ls, and demonstrate why containers started from Ubuntu can appear directly inside Docker Desktop. If you are learning Docker, WSL2, Windows 11 development, or Ubuntu container workflows, this walkthrough will help you understand what is really happening behind the scenes. Topics covered: Docker Desktop Windows 11 WSL2 Ubuntu Docker Engine Docker context Docker daemon and Docker Desktop WSL integration. If you enjoy practical videos about NVIDIA DGX Spark, AI workstations, JupyterLab, Linux, networking, and real-world infrastructure, subscribe to the channel, leave a comment, and share your own experience with the dashboard. #Docker #WSL2 #Windows11 Follow me on X: https://l.samayas.eu/jo3eaYEf3E?P=YT&V=142 Buy me a Coffee : https://l.samayas.eu/jX6xL7EWhd?P=YT&V=142 Studio Equipment Camera Sony Alpha ZV-E10 II: https://l.samayas.eu/k7y95TREl0?P=YT&V=142 Secondary Camera Obsbot Tail Air: https://l.samayas.eu/iFQu9WfmCw?P=YT&V=142 Elgato Prompter: https://l.samayas.eu/fHVrqqXtSc?P=YT&V=142 Microphone Rode Wireless GO II: https://l.samayas.eu/afBINjiBXN?P=YT&V=142