dockerd.exe

Docker Engine Daemon (dockerd.exe)

CPU Usage

N/A

Memory

N/A

Location

N/A

Publisher

N/A

License

Apache-2.0

Publisher

Docker, Inc.

Maintainer

Docker Community

Recommended Version

Docker Engine 24.x

What is dockerd.exe?

dockerd.exe is the Docker Engine daemon for Windows that hosts and manages containers, images and networks. It accepts API calls from the Docker CLI and Docker Desktop, orchestrates the container lifecycle, and delegates workloads to the container runtime. It typically runs in the background as a service or as part of Docker Desktop.

dockerd.exe implements the core Engine API, communicates with containerd, and coordinates Linux containers on Windows via WSL2 or Windows containers. It maintains daemon configuration, exposes the Docker REST API, and handles image pulls, auth, and orchestration hooks.

Is it Safe?

Is it a Virus?

Why is it Running?

Reasons it's running:

Core container management: dockerd.exe is the Docker Engine daemon responsible for starting, stopping and supervising containers, which is essential for all Docker operations on Windows.
Docker API and CLI integration: The daemon exposes the Docker REST API consumed by the CLI, Docker Desktop, and third‑party tools to perform image pulls, builds, and runtime control.
Background daemon with persistent state: As a long‑running service, dockerd.exe maintains daemon state, caches images, and stores configuration even when shells are closed.
Image, network and volume orchestration: dockerd.exe coordinates images, containers, volumes and networks, enabling complex workflows and composing multi-container applications.
Windows integration and WSL2: On Windows, dockerd.exe coordinates Linux containers via WSL2 or Windows containers mode, providing interoperability with Docker Desktop and orchestration tools.

Can I Disable or Remove It?

Common Problems

Common Causes & Solutions

: Check Docker Desktop logs and Windows Event Viewer. Ensure virtualization is enabled, and that the daemon path exists (C:\Program Files\Docker\Docker\resources\bin\dockerd.exe).
: Inspect running containers, prune unused images, verify daemon.json limits, and ensure no misconfigured health checks or loops are running.
: Verify network connectivity, DNS, and proxy settings. Log in to the registry, check TLS certificates, and retry image pulls.
: Clean up old images and stopped containers, increase disk space, and consider configuring build cache limits and storage driver settings.
: Validate JSON syntax in C:\ProgramData\Docker\config\daemon.json or equivalent Docker Desktop config and correct incorrect keys or values.
: Reset to factory defaults from Docker Desktop, or reinstall Docker Desktop to restore a clean daemon configuration and binaries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is dockerd.exe and why is it running on Windows?

dockerd.exe is the Docker Engine daemon that runs containers, hosts the Docker API, and coordinates images, networks, and volumes on Windows.

Is dockerd.exe safe to run on Windows?

Yes, when it comes from Docker, Inc. and when it is part of a supported Docker Desktop or Engine installation.

How do I stop or disable dockerd.exe?

From Docker Desktop, disable Start on login or quit Docker Desktop; as a service, stop the Docker Engine service and set startup to Disabled.

Why does dockerd.exe use high CPU?

High resource use can be caused by heavy container workloads, image pulls, or misbehaving containers. Check container limits, logs, and prune unused data.

Where are dockerd.exe logs stored on Windows?

Logs typically reside in the Docker Desktop log directory (e.g., C:\Users\Public\Documents\Docker Desktop\log) or via the Windows Event Viewer for the daemon.

Can I run Windows and Linux containers with dockerd.exe on Windows?

Yes, on Windows you can run Linux containers via WSL2 or Windows containers mode, while Docker Desktop manages the integration and runtime.