Migrate Docker Toolbox

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

How to migrate Docker Toolbox disk images to Docker Desktop

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, 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 (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.