Differences Between Linux and Windows Containers

Linux Containers

• They can run on any distribution of docker.

Windows Server Containers

• Will not run on different version of an OS
• Bigger than linux containers
• Contains windows API and .Net Framework
• Preloaded on Azure VM’s

Hyper-V Containers

• Based on Hyper-V Virtual Machines
• Highly Optimized
• Allow older images to work on newer version of Windows
• Resource utilization worse than windows server containers

Use Cases for Windows Containers

Build Environments Migrating legacy application Upgrading Windows-native applications Running Supportive infrasturcture

Everything that may require complex setup can be preconfigured as a container.

Docker Distributions for Windows

Docker Toolbox Docker in WSL2 Docker Desktop Docker Engine Enterprise (Docker EE) for Production use.