What is Settings Management?

Settings Management lets administrators configure and enforce Docker Desktop settings across end-user machines. It helps maintain consistent configurations and enhances security within your organization.

Who is it for?

Settings Management is designed for organizations that:

• Require centralized control over Docker Desktop configurations.
• Aim to standardize Docker Desktop environments across teams.
• Operate in regulated environments and need to enforce compliance.

This feature is available with a Docker Business subscription.

How it works

Administrators can define settings using one of the following methods:

• Admin Console: Create and assign settings policies through the Docker Admin Console.
• admin-settings.json file: Place a configuration file on the user's machine to enforce settings.

Enforced settings override user-defined configurations and can't be modified by developers.

Configurable settings

Settings Management supports a broad range of Docker Desktop features, including proxies, network configurations, and container isolation.

For a full list of settings you can enforce, see the Settings reference.

Set up Settings Management

1. Enforce sign-in to ensure all developers authenticate with your organization.
2. Choose a configuration method:
   • Use the --admin-settings installer flag on macOS or Windows to automatically create the admin-settings.json.
   • Manually create and configure the admin-settings.json file.
   • Create a settings policy in the Docker Admin Console.

After configuration, developers receive the enforced setting when they:

• Quit and relaunch Docker Desktop, then sign in.
• Launch and sign in to Docker Desktop for the first time.

Note

Docker Desktop does not automatically prompt users to restart or re-authenticate after a settings change.

Developer experience

When settings are enforced:

• Options appear grayed out in Docker Desktop and can't be modified via the Dashboard, CLI, or configuration files.
• If Enhanced Container Isolation is enabled, developers can't use privileged containers or similar methods to alter enforced settings within the Docker Desktop Linux VM.

What's next?

• Configure Settings Management with the admin-settings.json file
• Configure Settings Management with the Docker Admin Console

Learn more

• To see how each Docker Desktop setting maps across the Docker Dashboard, admin-settings.json file, and Admin Console, see the Settings reference.
• Read the Settings Management blog post.