Old PC with Windows

Keep Windows and run Qwest in Docker Desktop. It’s the quickest if the PC also does other work. For a computer that only runs Qwest, Linux is more reliable.

You need: Windows 10 (22H2) or 11, 64-bit, 8 GB of RAM or more (Docker Desktop takes some).

Docker Desktop’s license

Docker Desktop is free for personal use, education and small businesses (fewer than 250 employees and under $10 million in yearly revenue). Bigger companies need a paid Docker plan. See Docker’s pricing.

1. Install WSL

Right-click Start›Terminal (Admin) and run:

wsl --install

Restart the PC when it’s done.

2. Install Docker Desktop

1. Download it from docker.com/products/docker-desktop and run the installer.
2. Keep Use WSL 2 ticked.
3. Open Docker Desktop, then Settings›General, and tick Start Docker Desktop when you sign in to your computer.

Check it works in a new PowerShell window:

docker compose version

3. Keep it on

Docker Desktop only runs while someone is signed in to Windows. To survive restarts:

1. Never sleep: Settings›System›Power (Power & battery): set sleep to Never when plugged in.
2. Sign in automatically: use Microsoft’s Autologon tool. Run it, type your password, click Enable.
3. Power cuts: in the BIOS/UEFI, set Restore on AC power loss to Power On.

After a Windows Update restart, the PC signs in, Docker starts, and Qwest comes back by itself.

4. Let other computers in (local network only)

To reach Qwest from other computers on the same network, allow its port. In Terminal (Admin):

New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Qwest" -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 8080 -Action Allow -Profile Private

Make sure the network is set to Private in Settings›Network & internet.

Find the PC’s address with ipconfig (the IPv4 Address, like 192.168.1.42).

Next

Install Qwest. Run its commands in PowerShell and pick the Windows tab.