Ubuntu - Auto-start Docker Desktop without needing to log in?

Docker Desktop
1

I’m running Ubuntu 22.04 on an ESXi VM. I’ve got a container that needs to run 24/7. When my server boots up, the VM auto starts. But Docker Desktop will not start until after I’ve logged into the Ubuntu VM. Is there a way to get it to autostart without needing me to log in?

2

Docker Desktop is for development. If you want to run containers in production 24/7, you need Docker CE.

3

I’m using Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and had same issue
This is how to auto start Docker Desktop at user login (You must configure your user to auto login)
cd to ~/.config/autostart/
OR
cd /home/username/.config/autostart
If you don’t have a folder named autostart then create one with that name using mkdir autostart.
Create a new file with the name “Docker-Desktop.desktop”
nano Docker-Desktop.desktop
Add the following lines

[Desktop Entry]
Exec=/opt/docker-desktop/bin/docker-desktop
Name=Docker Desktop
Type=Application

Reboot

Done! … problem solved

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