{"id":8384,"date":"2023-12-16T00:12:46","date_gmt":"2023-12-16T00:12:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cheapwindowsvps.com\/blog\/step-by-step-guide-to-installing-minikube-on-windows\/"},"modified":"2025-01-20T11:33:41","modified_gmt":"2025-01-20T11:33:41","slug":"step-by-step-guide-to-installing-minikube-on-windows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cheapwindowsvps.com\/blog\/step-by-step-guide-to-installing-minikube-on-windows\/","title":{"rendered":"Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Minikube on Windows"},"content":{"rendered":"
Minikube is an ideal solution for setting up a Kubernetes cluster for a test or development environment. It only requires a single node, optionally as a virtual machine. To install Minikube on Windows, several preparations are required, including the installation of Docker.<\/div>\n

The first step to install Kubernetes on Windows 10\/11 or Windows Server 2019\/2022 is to download<\/a> the installation files of the current version from GitHub. The page minikube start<\/a> lists the system requirements and describes the first steps.<\/p>\n

If Minikube is operated in a VM, it should have at least two vCPUs, 2 GB of RAM, and 20 GB of free disk space.<\/p>\n

Nested virtualization necessary<\/h2>\n

If Docker and Minikube are to run in a VM on WSL2, nested virtualization<\/a> should be activated. Follow these steps under Hyper-V:<\/p>\n

Set-VMProcessor -VMName <Name of the VM> `<\/pre>\n
-ExposeVirtualizationExtensions $true<\/p>\n
Get-VMNetworkAdapter -VMName <Name of the VM> |<\/p>\n
Set-VMNetworkAdapter -MacAddressSpoofing On<\/p>\n
There is no feedback for these commands if the modification has been successful.<\/p>\n
Deploy Docker or a virtualization solution for Kubernetes<\/h2>\n
Kubernetes can be built on a computer that has either virtualization software or a container solution. Your options include Docker, QEMU, Hyperkit, Hyper-V, KVM, Parallels, Podman, VirtualBox, or VMware WoVMware Workstation.<\/p>\n
This guide specifically uses Docker as an example. That being said, it’s recommended that you have Docker Desktop for Windows installed on your computer in advance. Instead of Hyper-V, you can opt to run the containers in the Windows Subsystem for Linux 2.0 (WSL2)<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Update WSL Kernel in Windows 11<\/h2>\n
On many systems, after installing Docker, a notice appears that WSL2 needs to be updated. This is done with this command:<\/p>\n
wsl --update<\/pre>\n
Generally, it is advisable to restart the computer afterward.<\/p>\n
After the installation, verify the installed version with this command:<\/p>\n
docker version<\/pre>\n
This also shows whether Docker is working on the test PC.<\/p>\n
Check Docker installation<\/a><\/p>\n
Operate Minikube<\/h2>\n
After downloading, the Minikube start file minikube.exe<\/em> can be found in the target directory. This folder must be added to the system path. This can be done in a PowerShell session with elevated rights:<\/p>\n
After opening a new PowerShell session, the command minikube shows the online help. This indicates that Minikube is now working and the cluster can be set up.<\/p>\n
Calling Minikube without parameters outputs the online help<\/a><\/p>\n
Setting up a Kubernetes Cluster with Minikube<\/h2>\n
To create a Kubernetes cluster with Minikube, enter this command:<\/p>\n
minikube start<\/pre>\n
Minikube downloads then the necessary files for the Kubernetes container.<\/p>\n
It is important here that the Docker service is started. If not, it is best to reboot the PC.<\/p>\n
Start Minikube via the Command Line<\/a><\/div>\n
The status of Minikube can be displayed as follows:<\/p>\n
minikube status<\/pre>\n
Now, for example, you can display all its resources with this command:<\/p>\n
kubectl get all<\/pre>\n
And with this command you check if the cluster endpoint is working and determine the cluster’s IP address:<\/p>\n
kubectl cluster-info<\/pre>\n
Further commands that provide a quick overview of the environment include:<\/p>\n