Install the Docker Compose standalone (Legacy)
WarningThis install scenario is not recommended and is only supported for backward compatibility purposes.
This page contains instructions on how to install Docker Compose standalone on Linux or Windows Server, from the command line.
WarningThe Docker Compose standalone uses the
-composesyntax instead of the current standard syntaxcompose.
For example, you must typedocker-compose upwhen using Docker Compose standalone, instead ofdocker compose up. Use it only for backward compatibility.
On Linux
- To download and install the Docker Compose standalone, run: - $ curl -SL https://github.com/docker/compose/releases/download/v2.40.1/docker-compose-linux-x86_64 -o /usr/local/bin/docker-compose
- Apply executable permissions to the standalone binary in the target path for the installation. - $ chmod +x /usr/local/bin/docker-compose
- Test and execute Docker Compose commands using - docker-compose.
TipIf the command
docker-composefails after installation, check your path. You can also create a symbolic link to/usr/binor any other directory in your path. For example:$ sudo ln -s /usr/local/bin/docker-compose /usr/bin/docker-compose
On Windows Server
Follow these instructions if you are running the Docker daemon directly on Microsoft Windows Server and want to install Docker Compose.
- Run PowerShell as an administrator. In order to proceed with the installation, select Yes when asked if you want this app to make changes to your device. 
- Optional. Ensure TLS1.2 is enabled. GitHub requires TLS1.2 for secure connections. If you’re using an older version of Windows Server, for example 2016, or suspect that TLS1.2 is not enabled, run the following command in PowerShell: - [Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [Net.SecurityProtocolType]::Tls12
- Download the latest release of Docker Compose (v2.40.1). Run the following command: - Start-BitsTransfer -Source "https://github.com/docker/compose/releases/download/v2.40.1/docker-compose-windows-x86_64.exe" -Destination $Env:ProgramFiles\Docker\docker-compose.exe- To install a different version of Docker Compose, substitute - v2.40.1with the version of Compose you want to use.Note- On Windows Server 2019 you can add the Compose executable to - $Env:ProgramFiles\Docker. Because this directory is registered in the system- PATH, you can run the- docker-compose --versioncommand on the subsequent step with no additional configuration.
- Test the installation. - $ docker-compose.exe version Docker Compose version v2.40.1