Install Immich on Windows 11: Google Photos Alternative (2026)

Immich is an open-source photo and video platform that you can run on your own server. This guide explains how to set it up on Windows 11 with WSL2 and Docker Desktop. It also covers port 2283, storage locations, Docker volumes, and backups.

What is Immich?

Immich is designed as a privacy-focused alternative to Google Photos. Your library stays under your control while you can use automatic mobile uploads, fast search, face and object recognition, and sharing.

If you are still choosing a photo library, compare Immich with PhotoPrism, Ente, Nextcloud Memories and other Google Photos alternatives before installing it.

If the Windows/Docker setup feels too involved, our Immich alternatives comparison explains when PhotoPrism, Nextcloud Memories, Piwigo, Synology Photos, Ente or LibrePhotos is a better fit.

Prerequisites

Item	Minimum	Recommended
CPU	2 cores	4 cores
RAM	6 GB	8 GB
OS	64-bit OS	Windows 11 with WSL2

• A Windows 11 PC with administrator access
• Docker Desktop for Windows
• WSL2 with an Ubuntu distribution
• Enough free space for the photo library and database

Enable WSL2

1. Open PowerShell as administrator.
2. Run the command below.
3. Restart Windows when prompted.
4. Open Ubuntu from the Start menu and finish the first-time setup.

wsl --install

Install Docker Desktop

1. Download Docker Desktop from the official Docker website.
2. During setup, keep the WSL 2 backend enabled.
3. Open Settings → Resources → WSL Integration and enable your Ubuntu distribution.

Use the official Docker Desktop documentation for the current installer and WSL integration screens: Docker Desktop for Windows.

Download the Immich files

Open an Ubuntu or WSL terminal and create a working directory. The following commands download the current Docker Compose file and example environment file from the Immich release page.

mkdir -p ~/immich-app
cd ~/immich-app

wget -O docker-compose.yml https://github.com/immich-app/immich/releases/latest/download/docker-compose.yml
wget -O .env https://github.com/immich-app/immich/releases/latest/download/example.env

Configure storage locations

Open .env and review UPLOAD_LOCATION and DB_DATA_LOCATION. UPLOAD_LOCATION is where uploaded photos and videos are stored; DB_DATA_LOCATION is for the PostgreSQL database. Use a path on a drive with enough capacity and back up both locations.

Docker volume option

If you prefer Docker-managed storage, use named volumes in your Compose configuration. This is convenient for portability, but you still need a separate backup plan for the volumes.

Start Immich

docker compose up -d

Check that the containers are running:

docker ps

Open the web interface at http://localhost:2283. To connect from another device on the same network, use http://server-IP:2283 and make sure Windows Firewall allows the port.

Initial setup and mobile backup

1. Create the first account in the web interface.
2. Install the Immich mobile app.
3. Add the server URL and sign in.
4. Enable automatic backup for the albums you want to protect.

Backups and updates

Immich is not a backup by itself. Back up the upload directory and database to another disk or storage service, and periodically test a restore. Before upgrading, read the current release notes and keep a copy of your .env file.

Troubleshooting

• If the page does not open, confirm Docker Desktop is running and port 2283 is not blocked.
• Run docker ps and check the container logs when a service repeatedly restarts.
• If storage is full, stop the stack before moving data and update the paths consistently.

Summary

With WSL2, Docker Desktop, and the current Immich Compose files, you can run a private photo library on Windows 11. Keep the storage paths, port 2283, and a tested backup plan documented.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes. Immich, Docker Desktop, Windows, and their settings may change. Back up your data before changing storage or containers, and verify commands in the official documentation for your version.