Docker Desktop includes the easy to run Docker Engine / Docker Machine. I think is fair to assume that most of the revenue is not from users that want a GUI but from users that want a stable Docker Engine experience.

Anecdotal, but my experience, as someone who gives DevOps professional services for many organizations, is that windows users that need containers know that they are called Docker and just download that. Must of them absolutely need GUI. Most of them doesn't know that Docker Desktop requires license, and I convert them to Rancher Desktop.

Nothing wrong with paying for good software.

It's nearly a crime when a government pay with tax money for product that is in low usage and have zero advantage over the free alternative.

just because it costs money, doesn't mean it's good software.

That seems like a non sequitur.

How do I install and run docker containers on windows without docker desktop? I’ve made attempts in the past but never actually succeeded, and just enddd up using docker desktop.

Step 1. Uninstall docker Desktop completely (and images and builds and storage and containers) and reboot. Step 2. Install Rancher Desktop.

If you also need docker emulation with podman too

Step 3. Install Podman Step 4. Install Podman Desktop.

Now a. Either work with Rancher Desktop (open it) and Docker is available also in cmd line (docker, docker ccompose , etc) b. Or Start Podman Desktop to configure Podman (or just use comandline to configure)

Now in cmd you not only have docker and friends but also podman and friends

Bonus, you have Kubernetes tools too and you are FOSS.

Happy composing :-)

PS: I think you cannot start both. I have both installed and never looked back. Windows 10 x64 PRO