From b57ae25591b2b0fdc266ff4cb994bbb786b80369 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Alexa Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2026 11:04:48 -0500 Subject: [PATCH 1/2] docs: expand Desktop releases FAQ for support and older installs Readers need clear answers on the six-month support window, how to install an older build, and why downloads return 403. Add those FAQs and note Always download updates is Mac and Windows only. Co-authored-by: Cursor --- .../troubleshoot-and-support/faqs/releases.md | 145 +++++++++++++++++- 1 file changed, 137 insertions(+), 8 deletions(-) diff --git a/content/manuals/desktop/troubleshoot-and-support/faqs/releases.md b/content/manuals/desktop/troubleshoot-and-support/faqs/releases.md index da2270f5bae1..deb418fcad22 100644 --- a/content/manuals/desktop/troubleshoot-and-support/faqs/releases.md +++ b/content/manuals/desktop/troubleshoot-and-support/faqs/releases.md @@ -1,23 +1,152 @@ --- -description: Frequently asked Docker Desktop questions for all platforms -keywords: desktop, mac, windows, faqs +description: Answers to common questions about Docker Desktop release frequency, + supported versions, installing older versions, and download errors +keywords: desktop, mac, windows, faqs, releases, support, install, 403, version, + older version, old version, previous version, downgrade title: FAQs on Docker Desktop releases linkTitle: Releases tags: [FAQ] --- -### How frequent will new releases be? +### How often will new releases be? -New releases are available every week, unless there are critical fixes that need to be released sooner. +New releases are available every week, unless there are critical fixes that +need to be released sooner. -The **Automatically check for updates** setting in the **Software updates** tab is turned on by default. This means you receive notifications in the Docker menu and a notification badge on the Docker Desktop Dashboard when a new version is available. +The **Automatically check for updates** setting in the **Software updates** +tab is turned on by default. This means you receive notifications in the +Docker menu and a notification badge on the Docker Desktop Dashboard when a +new version is available. -You can also let Docker Desktop automatically download new updates in the background by selecting the **Always download updates** checkbox. +On Mac and Windows, you can also let Docker Desktop automatically download +new updates in the background by selecting the **Always download updates** +checkbox. -Sometimes new versions are rolled out gradually over a few days. Therefore, if you wait, it will turn up soon. Alternatively, you can select **Check for updates** in the Docker menu to get the latest version immediately. +Sometimes new versions are rolled out gradually over a few days. Therefore, +if you wait, it will turn up soon. Alternatively, you can select **Check for +updates** in the Docker menu to get the latest version immediately. ### How do I ensure that all users in my organization are using the same version? -This is managed through your IT administrator's endpoint management software. +This is managed through your IT administrator's endpoint management software. +### Which Docker Desktop versions are supported? +> [!IMPORTANT] +> +> Docker Desktop versions older than six months from the latest release aren't +> available for download. Previous release notes are available in the +> [documentation repository](https://github.com/docker/docs/tree/main/content/manuals/desktop/previous-versions). + +Docker Support covers: + +- Docker Business: Versions up to six months older than the latest version. + Fixes apply to the latest version only. +- Docker Pro and Team: The latest version only. + +For details, see [Supported versions](/manuals/support/_index.md#supported-versions). + +Docker recommends running the latest Docker Desktop release. See the +[release notes](/manuals/desktop/release-notes.md) for the latest version and +download links. + +### How do I install an older version? + +Installers are limited to the +[six-month download window](#which-docker-desktop-versions-are-supported). +Choose a version that still includes **Download Docker Desktop** links in the +[release notes](/manuals/desktop/release-notes.md). + +The install commands don't take a version number. Choose the version by +downloading that release's installer, then run the install steps for your +operating system. + +#### Find a specific version + +1. Open the [release notes](/manuals/desktop/release-notes.md). +1. Go to the version you want. Under the version heading and date, look for + a **Download Docker Desktop** section with links for Windows, Mac, and + Linux. +1. If that section is missing, Docker doesn't provide an installer for that + entry from the docs. Choose another version that includes **Download Docker + Desktop**. +1. Download the installer for your platform. + +If a newer version of Docker Desktop is already installed, +[uninstall](/manuals/desktop/uninstall.md) it before installing the older +version. + +#### Install the version you downloaded + +{{< tabs >}} +{{< tab name="Windows" >}} + +1. Download `Docker Desktop Installer.exe` for the target version from that + release's **Download Docker Desktop** links. +1. In PowerShell, run the installer for a per-user install: + + ```powershell + Start-Process 'Docker Desktop Installer.exe' -Wait -ArgumentList 'install', '--user' + ``` + + For an all-users install (requires administrator privileges): + + ```powershell + Start-Process 'Docker Desktop Installer.exe' -Wait -ArgumentList 'install' + ``` + +For more options, see +[Install from the command line](/manuals/desktop/setup/install/windows-install.md#install-from-the-command-line). + +{{< /tab >}} +{{< tab name="macOS" >}} + +1. Download `Docker.dmg` for the target version (Apple chip or Intel chip) + from that release's **Download Docker Desktop** links. +1. In a terminal, install from the DMG you downloaded: + + ```console + $ sudo hdiutil attach Docker.dmg + $ sudo /Volumes/Docker/Docker.app/Contents/MacOS/install + $ sudo hdiutil detach /Volumes/Docker + ``` + +For more options, see +[Install from the command line](/manuals/desktop/setup/install/mac-install.md#install-from-the-command-line). + +{{< /tab >}} +{{< tab name="Linux" >}} + +1. Download the `.deb` or `.rpm` package for the target version from that + release's **Download Docker Desktop** links. +1. Install the package file you downloaded. + + Ubuntu / Debian: + + ```console + $ sudo apt-get install ./docker-desktop-amd64.deb + ``` + + Fedora: + + ```console + $ sudo dnf install ./docker-desktop-x86_64.rpm + ``` + +Package filenames vary by distribution. For distribution-specific steps, see +[Install Docker Desktop on Linux](/manuals/desktop/setup/install/linux/_index.md). + +{{< /tab >}} +{{< /tabs >}} + +### Why do I get a 403 download error? + +A `403 Forbidden` response means the installer for that build isn't available +to download. This usually means the build is outside the +[six-month download window](#which-docker-desktop-versions-are-supported). +This applies on Windows, Mac, and Linux, whether you use a browser, a package +manager, or another download tool. The failure happens when fetching the +installer, not when running the install command. + +Download a version that includes a **Download Docker Desktop** section in the +[release notes](/manuals/desktop/release-notes.md). From 7e5af749c6305fa944675eea60e421026663392d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Alexa Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2026 09:16:07 -0500 Subject: [PATCH 2/2] docs: link older Desktop installs to platform install pages Remove duplicated install commands from the releases FAQ and point readers to the existing Windows, Mac, and Linux install docs instead. Co-authored-by: Cursor --- .../troubleshoot-and-support/faqs/releases.md | 77 ++----------------- 1 file changed, 8 insertions(+), 69 deletions(-) diff --git a/content/manuals/desktop/troubleshoot-and-support/faqs/releases.md b/content/manuals/desktop/troubleshoot-and-support/faqs/releases.md index deb418fcad22..503368a12c25 100644 --- a/content/manuals/desktop/troubleshoot-and-support/faqs/releases.md +++ b/content/manuals/desktop/troubleshoot-and-support/faqs/releases.md @@ -61,8 +61,6 @@ The install commands don't take a version number. Choose the version by downloading that release's installer, then run the install steps for your operating system. -#### Find a specific version - 1. Open the [release notes](/manuals/desktop/release-notes.md). 1. Go to the version you want. Under the version heading and date, look for a **Download Docker Desktop** section with links for Windows, Mac, and @@ -71,73 +69,14 @@ operating system. entry from the docs. Choose another version that includes **Download Docker Desktop**. 1. Download the installer for your platform. - -If a newer version of Docker Desktop is already installed, -[uninstall](/manuals/desktop/uninstall.md) it before installing the older -version. - -#### Install the version you downloaded - -{{< tabs >}} -{{< tab name="Windows" >}} - -1. Download `Docker Desktop Installer.exe` for the target version from that - release's **Download Docker Desktop** links. -1. In PowerShell, run the installer for a per-user install: - - ```powershell - Start-Process 'Docker Desktop Installer.exe' -Wait -ArgumentList 'install', '--user' - ``` - - For an all-users install (requires administrator privileges): - - ```powershell - Start-Process 'Docker Desktop Installer.exe' -Wait -ArgumentList 'install' - ``` - -For more options, see -[Install from the command line](/manuals/desktop/setup/install/windows-install.md#install-from-the-command-line). - -{{< /tab >}} -{{< tab name="macOS" >}} - -1. Download `Docker.dmg` for the target version (Apple chip or Intel chip) - from that release's **Download Docker Desktop** links. -1. In a terminal, install from the DMG you downloaded: - - ```console - $ sudo hdiutil attach Docker.dmg - $ sudo /Volumes/Docker/Docker.app/Contents/MacOS/install - $ sudo hdiutil detach /Volumes/Docker - ``` - -For more options, see -[Install from the command line](/manuals/desktop/setup/install/mac-install.md#install-from-the-command-line). - -{{< /tab >}} -{{< tab name="Linux" >}} - -1. Download the `.deb` or `.rpm` package for the target version from that - release's **Download Docker Desktop** links. -1. Install the package file you downloaded. - - Ubuntu / Debian: - - ```console - $ sudo apt-get install ./docker-desktop-amd64.deb - ``` - - Fedora: - - ```console - $ sudo dnf install ./docker-desktop-x86_64.rpm - ``` - -Package filenames vary by distribution. For distribution-specific steps, see -[Install Docker Desktop on Linux](/manuals/desktop/setup/install/linux/_index.md). - -{{< /tab >}} -{{< /tabs >}} +1. If a newer version of Docker Desktop is already installed, + [uninstall](/manuals/desktop/uninstall.md) it before installing the older + version. +1. Install the version you downloaded: + + - [Install Docker Desktop on Windows](/manuals/desktop/setup/install/windows-install.md) + - [Install Docker Desktop on Mac](/manuals/desktop/setup/install/mac-install.md) + - [Install Docker Desktop on Linux](/manuals/desktop/setup/install/linux/_index.md) ### Why do I get a 403 download error?