Docker Desktop breaks so often its maddening

Nov 7, 2025 · 9:56 PM UTC

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Replying to @davidfowl
Aspire on Linux with OSS Docker + Lazy Docker has been a huge improvement for me, simply because of the constant Docker issues on Windows and Macos. I haven’t tried going the same combo on my Windows or Macos machines, curious if that would improve things
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Wsl + docker on windows seem to crap out every now and then. macOS has been fine
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Replying to @davidfowl
U need more ram
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1TB? Yes
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more replies
Replying to @davidfowl
Yes, the major painpoint when using Aspire is Docker Desktop. Needs to constantly restart and or delete the containers. Even on MacOS.
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Replying to @davidfowl
I rely heavily on Docker desktop and feel the pain. I've not tracked down why, but docker desktop's kubernetes hangs unless visual studio is running...confirmed on at least 3 machines. Maybe it helps, maybe not.
Replying to @davidfowl
Use orbstack.dev/

OrbStack · Fast, light, simple Docker & Linux

Say goodbye to slow, clunky containers and VMs. The fast, light, and easy way to run containers and Linux. Develop at lightspeed with our Docker Desktop alternative.

orbstack.dev
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Replying to @davidfowl
Used to happen for me, then it stopped all of a sudden. It's definitely related to the images you're using.
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Replying to @davidfowl
Doesn’t happen for me
Replying to @davidfowl
Also nerfs GPU throughout intensely on windows. Terrible for CUDA workloads. Need to use docker inside of WSL2 to get full GPU throughput. Which is super weird since docker desktop for windows apparently uses WSL2 as a backend.
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Replying to @davidfowl
They told me it would unf*k everything.
Replying to @davidfowl
how so ? For me it's been an island of stability
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Replying to @davidfowl
Time to bring back the WSYP program and add it to Docker piped.video/D28FkfJiauk?si=8zQi…

Microsoft's new "WSYP" Program

Here are the details on the Microsoft "We Share Your Pain" program, introduced by the Microsoft UK team.

youtube.com
Replying to @davidfowl
Yet this is the underpinning of the Aspire technology that is being pushed heavily at the moment.
Replying to @davidfowl
Docker heats my office in the winter for free
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Replying to @davidfowl
I swear, I have to reset volumes/containers for sqledge for Mac daily at this point.
Replying to @davidfowl
use Podman 🚀
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Replying to @davidfowl
colima
Replying to @davidfowl
have you looked at podman at all?
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Replying to @davidfowl
Orbstack
Replying to @davidfowl
I use podman
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Replying to @davidfowl
Yeah, Docker Engine and Hyper-V don't really get along that well it seems. Podman, though, has been working without any problems for me in the last few months, both in test/stage and production.
Replying to @davidfowl
Don't use Docker Desktop. Docker just isn't designed for Windows or Mac.
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Replying to @davidfowl
WSL2 + docker is the only way
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Replying to @davidfowl
Do you find podman to be more useful/stable?
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Replying to @davidfowl
I switched to @Podman_io and lost all these issues. I nice bonus: Freed a lot of disc space Docker Desktop was claiming. Works like a charm with Aspire
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Replying to @davidfowl
Yes. I witnessed this yesterday. The limitation: the Docker Desktop container cannot communicate with a real server on a real company network, even with "--network host". In pure Docker, however, it works normally without any effort.
Replying to @davidfowl
And now you know why I switched to podman. 🤓
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Replying to @davidfowl
Really? This is one of the pieces which works pretty flawlessly. What exactly is breaking?
Replying to @davidfowl
Try @OrbStack (if on a mac)
Replying to @davidfowl
One reason why we switched to rancher desktop
Replying to @davidfowl
And it doesn’t add a iota of value over just using docker command line in wsl.
Replying to @davidfowl
And the fun fact is you don't need it. OSS Docker CLI + Portainer for the win.
Replying to @davidfowl
Multipass docker
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