# How to Install Rancher Desktop on Linux, macOS and Windows

> Install Rancher Desktop, the free Docker Desktop alternative, on Linux, macOS and Windows, pick the container engine and run your first container and cluster.

- Source: https://www.itwonderlab.com/rancher-desktop-install/
- Published: 2026-10-06
- Updated: 2026-10-06
- Author: Javier Ruiz Jiménez (https://www.javierruizjimenez.com/)
- Site: IT Wonder Lab (https://www.itwonderlab.com/)

---

## What is Rancher Desktop

**Rancher Desktop**, from SUSE, is a free and open source (Apache 2.0) desktop application for macOS, Windows and Linux that gives you a container engine and a local [Kubernetes](https://www.itwonderlab.com/tutorials/kubernetes/) cluster. It is a popular alternative to Docker Desktop because it has no per-user license: it is free for personal and commercial use.

It bundles everything you need: the container engine (**containerd** or **dockerd**), the `docker` and `nerdctl` command line tools, Docker Compose, `kubectl`, `helm` and a [K3s](https://www.itwonderlab.com/install-kubernetes-k3s/) Kubernetes cluster that you can switch on or off.

![Rancher Desktop architecture: the app and the docker, nerdctl, kubectl and helm tools run on your computer and talk to a Linux VM (Lima or WSL 2) that runs containerd or dockerd and a K3s Kubernetes cluster with Traefik](https://www.itwonderlab.com/media/tutorials/Diagrams/ITWL-Rancher-Desktop-Architecture.svg "Rancher Desktop runs the engine and Kubernetes in a Linux VM")

Containers need a Linux kernel, so on every platform Rancher Desktop runs a small Linux virtual machine: **WSL 2** on Windows and **Lima** on macOS and Linux. The tools on your computer talk to the engine inside it.

## Requirements

| | macOS | Windows | Linux |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating system | macOS 13 (Ventura) or newer | Windows 11 (Home included) or Windows Server 2025, with WSL installed | A distribution that supports `.deb`, `.rpm` or AppImage |
| CPU | Apple Silicon or Intel with VT-x | Virtualization enabled in the BIOS or UEFI | x86_64 with AMD-V or VT-x |
| Other | | WSL installed | Read and write access to `/dev/kvm` |
| Recommended | 8 GB of RAM and 4 CPU cores | 8 GB of RAM and 4 CPU cores | 8 GB of RAM and 4 CPU cores |

Always check the [official installation guide](https://docs.rancherdesktop.io/getting-started/installation/) for the current requirements.

## Install on macOS

Download the `.dmg` from the [GitHub releases](https://github.com/rancher-sandbox/rancher-desktop/releases) (choose Apple Silicon or Intel), drag **Rancher Desktop** to the Applications folder and start it. You can also use Homebrew:

```shell
$ brew install --cask rancher
```

## Install on Windows

Download the `.msi` installer from the [GitHub releases](https://github.com/rancher-sandbox/rancher-desktop/releases), run it and accept the license. Rancher Desktop uses WSL 2, so make sure it is installed first:

```shell
> wsl --install
```

During the installation the *Rancher Desktop Privileged Service* asks for administrator permission: it is needed to expose applications on all network interfaces.

## Install on Linux

On Linux the virtual machine uses KVM, so first verify that you can access it, and add your user to the `kvm` group if you cannot:

```shell
$ [ -r /dev/kvm ] && [ -w /dev/kvm ] || echo 'insufficient privileges'
$ sudo usermod -a -G kvm "$USER"
```

Log out and in again after changing groups. Rancher Desktop stores credentials with `pass`, which needs a GPG key (see [using PGP](https://www.itwonderlab.com/installing-using-pgp/)). To let your containers publish ports below 1024, such as 80 and 443, allow unprivileged ports:

```shell
$ sudo sysctl -w net.ipv4.ip_unprivileged_port_start=80
```

Add the repository and install the package on Ubuntu and Debian:

```shell
$ curl -s https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/isv:/Rancher:/stable/deb/Release.key | gpg --dearmor | sudo dd status=none of=/usr/share/keyrings/isv-rancher-stable-archive-keyring.gpg
$ echo 'deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/isv-rancher-stable-archive-keyring.gpg] https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/isv:/Rancher:/stable/deb/ ./' | sudo dd status=none of=/etc/apt/sources.list.d/isv-rancher-stable.list
$ sudo apt update && sudo apt install rancher-desktop
```

On Fedora:

```shell
$ sudo dnf config-manager addrepo --from-repofile=https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/isv:/Rancher:/stable/fedora/isv:Rancher:stable.repo
$ sudo dnf install rancher-desktop
```

On openSUSE use `zypper addrepo https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/isv:/Rancher:/stable/rpm/isv:Rancher:stable.repo` and `zypper install rancher-desktop`. An AppImage is also available if you prefer not to add a repository.

## First start: choose the engine and Kubernetes

The first time you start Rancher Desktop it asks two questions:

1. **Container engine**: *dockerd (moby)* gives you the `docker` command and the same behavior as Docker Desktop. *containerd* gives you the `nerdctl` command. You can change it later, but images and containers are not shared between the two. The [next tutorial](https://www.itwonderlab.com/rancher-desktop-containerd-vs-dockerd/) explains how to choose.
2. **Enable Kubernetes** and the version of Kubernetes to run. Disable it if you only need containers: it saves memory and CPU.

Also review **Preferences > Virtual Machine** to give the VM the memory and CPUs it needs. The defaults are small for a development machine running a database and several services.

Wait until the status shows that the engine is running. The command line tools are linked into your path, so open a new terminal.

## Verify the installation

```shell
$ docker version
$ docker run --rm hello-world
$ docker context ls
```

With the *dockerd* engine, `docker context ls` shows a `rancher-desktop` context pointing at the socket of the VM, selected as the current one. With *containerd* use `nerdctl` instead:

```shell
$ nerdctl version
$ nerdctl run --rm hello-world
```

If you enabled Kubernetes, check the cluster:

```shell
$ kubectl config get-contexts
$ kubectl get nodes
NAME                   STATUS   ROLES                  AGE   VERSION
lima-rancher-desktop   Ready    control-plane,master   2m    v1.x.x+k3s1
```

## Run a container and see it in the UI

```shell
$ docker run -d --name web -p 8080:80 nginx:1.27
$ curl -I http://localhost:8080
```

Open the Rancher Desktop window: the **Containers** tab lists `web`, and recent versions let you open a shell, inspect it and see live stats from there. Remove it with `docker rm -f web`.

> [!TIP]
> Automate your installation and settings with `rdctl`, the command line of Rancher Desktop. See [rdctl, snapshots and deployment profiles](https://www.itwonderlab.com/rancher-desktop-rdctl-automation/).

## Uninstall

Quit the application and remove the package (`sudo apt remove rancher-desktop`, drag the app to the trash on macOS, or use *Apps and features* on Windows). In the application, **Troubleshooting > Factory Reset** deletes the VM with all its images and containers.

## Next steps

- Choose between the two engines: [containerd vs dockerd](https://www.itwonderlab.com/rancher-desktop-containerd-vs-dockerd/).
- Learn the everyday [Docker CLI commands](https://www.itwonderlab.com/docker-cli-commands-cheat-sheet/).
- Use the cluster: [Kubernetes in Rancher Desktop](https://www.itwonderlab.com/rancher-desktop-kubernetes/).