Migrate Docker Toolbox

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This page explains how to migrate your Docker Toolbox disk image, or images if you have them, to Docker Desktop for Windows.

In version 18.01.0 and higher, the Docker Desktop for Windows installer no longer prompts users to migrate from Docker Toolbox--you must do so manually.

How to migrate Docker Toolbox disk images to Docker Desktop for Windows

Warning: Migrating disk images from Docker Toolbox clobbers Docker images if they exist. The migration process replaces the entire VM with your previous Docker Toolbox data.

  1. Install qemu (a machine emulator): https://cloudbase.it/downloads/qemu-img-win-x64-2_3_0.zip.
  2. Install Docker Desktop for Windows.
  3. Stop Docker Desktop for Windows, if running.

  4. Move your current Docker VM disk to a safe location:

    mv 'C:\Users\Public\Documents\Hyper-V\Virtual Hard Disks\MobyLinuxVM.vhdx' C:/<any directory>

  5. Convert your Toolbox disk image:

    qemu-img.exe convert 'C:\Users\<username>\.docker\machine\machines\default\disk.vmdk' -O vhdx -o subformat=dynamic -p 'C:\Users\Public\Documents\Hyper-V\Virtual Hard Disks\MobyLinuxVM.vhdx'
  6. Restart Docker Desktop for Windows (with your converted disk).

How to uninstall Docker Toolbox

Whether or not you migrate your Docker Toolbox images, you may decide to uninstall it. For details on how to perform a clean uninstall of Toolbox, see How to uninstall Toolbox.

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