Install on Windows and macOS
With Docker Desktop. The same installer, run inside a small container.
Docker Desktop first
Talos needs Docker Desktop on Windows and macOS (on a Mac, OrbStack, Colima and Rancher Desktop work too). The installer does not install it for you: that needs administrator rights, on Windows a WSL setup and often a restart, and you accepting Docker’s terms, so if it is missing the installer says so and offers to open the download page. If it is installed but not running, the installer starts it and waits up to two minutes. On Windows it must be in Linux-containers mode, which is the default.
Docker Desktop is free for personal use, education and small businesses; larger companies need a paid Docker subscription. Check Docker’s own terms for your case.
How it works
The installer runs inside a small Docker container (docker:28.5.2-cli, about 60 MB, pulled on the first run) that talks to Docker Desktop. It is the same installer as on Linux, so it behaves the same way. It checks ports both ways: the ones Windows or macOS programs already use, and the ones other containers use.
Where things go
C:\Users\<you>\talos on Windows, ~/talos on a Mac. Afterwards you use Talos from that folder like any Compose project (docker compose logs, docker compose down) in PowerShell or Terminal. The installer can only write inside your user folder, or a folder you name with -Dir (Windows) / --dir (macOS).
Options on Windows
A script piped into iex cannot take parameters, so either set environment variables first, or turn it into a script block:
The options are -Version, -Dir, -Url, -FrontendPort, -BackendPort, -Eval, -Yes and -DryRun, or the matching TALOS_* environment variables (TALOS_EVAL = "1" for a trial).
Memory
The memory and CPU the installer checks are Docker Desktop’s, not the whole computer’s. If it warns, raise them in Docker Desktop → Settings → Resources.
Other computers
Others on your network open http://<this computer’s IP address>:3000. The first time, Windows or macOS may ask whether to allow Docker through the firewall.