How to Install and Run OpenClaw on Windows 10

Running OpenClaw on Windows 10 is completely doable — but it requires WSL2, Docker, and a few configuration steps that can take 1–3 hours depending on your setup.

If you want to skip the local setup entirely, Ampere.sh gets OpenClaw running in 60 seconds — no WSL2, no Docker, no configuration required.

System Requirements for Running OpenClaw on Windows 10

OpenClaw runs on Windows 10 through WSL2 and Docker. Before you begin, verify your machine meets every item below — most failed installs trace back to one missing requirement:

Component	Requirement
RAM	8 GB minimum (16 GB recommended)
CPU	64-bit processor, 4+ cores (Intel or AMD)
OS Version	Windows 10 version 1903+ (build 18362+), 64-bit
Storage	10 GB free disk space (SSD recommended)
Virtualization	Enabled in BIOS (required for WSL2 and Docker)
Internet	Stable connection (needed for Docker images and npm packages)
PowerShell	Version 5.1+ (run as Administrator for setup steps)
Dependencies	WSL2, Docker Desktop, Node.js v18+

How to Install OpenClaw on Windows 10

Step 1: Enable WSL2

WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux 2) lets you run a real Linux kernel inside Windows. Docker Desktop needs it to run containers on Windows 10.

Open PowerShell as Administrator (right-click → Run as administrator) and run:

wsl --install

This installs WSL2 with Ubuntu as the default distro. Restart your computer when prompted.

After reboot, open PowerShell again and verify WSL2 is active:

# Set WSL2 as default version
wsl --set-default-version 2

# Verify your distro is running version 2
wsl --list --verbose

You should see VERSION 2 next to your Linux distro. If it shows version 1, run:

wsl --set-version Ubuntu 2

Heads up: WSL2 installation can fail on older Windows 10 builds. If wsl --install doesn't work, you may need to manually enable WSL2 through Windows Features.

Step 2: Install Docker Desktop

Docker runs OpenClaw in an isolated container so you don't have to worry about conflicting dependencies.

Download Docker Desktop for Windows
Run the installer — enable "Use WSL2 instead of Hyper-V" when prompted
After install, open Docker Desktop and wait until it shows "Engine running" in the bottom-left
Open PowerShell and verify:

# Check Docker is installed
docker --version

# Test that Docker runs correctly
docker run hello-world

If docker run hello-world prints a success message, you're good to go.

Expected PowerShell output after verifying Docker installation

Expected output — "Hello from Docker!" confirms Docker is running correctly

Note: Many users hit issues here — Docker not starting, WSL2 networking conflicts, or Windows Defender blocking connections. If you'd rather avoid the debugging entirely, Ampere.sh provides a pre-configured, fully managed environment.

Step 3: Install Node.js

OpenClaw requires Node.js v18 or later. Download the LTS version:

Go to nodejs.org
Download the LTS installer for Windows
Run the installer with default settings
Open a new PowerShell window and verify:

# Check Node.js version (should be 18+)
node --version

# Check npm version
npm --version

Step 4: Install OpenClaw

With Node.js installed, you can install OpenClaw globally via npm:

# Install OpenClaw globally
npm install -g openclaw

# Verify the installation
openclaw --version

Installing OpenClaw via npm in PowerShell

Installing OpenClaw globally via npm and verifying the install

If you see a version number, OpenClaw is installed and ready to configure.

Step 5: Configure & Start OpenClaw

Now set up your AI provider and start the gateway:

# Run the interactive configuration wizard
openclaw configure

# Start the OpenClaw gateway
openclaw gateway start

Configuring OpenClaw and starting the gateway in PowerShell

Running openclaw configure and starting the gateway

The configuration wizard will ask you to connect an AI provider (Anthropic, OpenAI, etc.) and set up your preferred messaging channels.

Once the gateway is running, your OpenClaw agent is live on your Windows 10 machine. Connect it to Discord, WhatsApp, or Telegram to start chatting with it from anywhere.

Common Errors & Fixes

Docker Desktop Won't Start

Error: Docker Desktop fails to launch or shows "WSL 2 installation is incomplete"

Fix: Docker needs WSL2 to be properly configured. Run the following:

# Make sure WSL2 is the default
wsl --set-default-version 2

# In Docker Desktop: Settings → Resources → WSL Integration
# Enable your Ubuntu distro

# If Docker still won't start, restart the WSL service:
wsl --shutdown
# Then reopen Docker Desktop

"openclaw" Command Not Found

Error: openclaw : The term 'openclaw' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet

Fix: Node.js global bin path isn't in your system PATH. Try these options:

# Option 1: Open a new PowerShell window (often fixes it)

# Option 2: Add npm global path manually
$env:PATH += ";$(npm bin -g)"

# Option 3: Reinstall with explicit path
npm install -g openclaw --prefix C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\npm

Port Conflict (EADDRINUSE)

Error: Error: listen EADDRINUSE: address already in use :::3000

Fix: Another process is already using the port. Find and kill it:

# Find what's using port 3000
netstat -ano | findstr :3000

# Kill the process by its PID
taskkill /PID <PID_NUMBER> /F

# Then restart OpenClaw
openclaw gateway start

WSL2 Out of Memory

Error: System slows down or crashes — Docker and WSL2 consuming all available RAM

Fix: Limit WSL2 memory usage via a config file:

# Create or edit: C:\Users\YourName\.wslconfig
[wsl2]
memory=4GB
processors=2
swap=2GB

Save the file, then restart WSL:

wsl --shutdown

Windows Defender Blocking Connections

Error: OpenClaw or Docker can't connect to the internet or local ports are blocked by firewall

Fix: Allow Docker and Node.js through Windows Firewall:

Open Windows Security → Firewall & network protection → Allow an app through firewall
Make sure Docker Desktop and Node.js are allowed on both Private and Public networks
If you're still blocked, temporarily disable the firewall to test, then add the specific rules

Faster Alternative — Deploy on Ampere.sh

If you don't want to deal with WSL2, Docker networking, memory limits, or firewall issues, deploy OpenClaw on Ampere.sh — fully configured and ready to use, with no local setup at all:

No Setup

No WSL2, no Docker, no Node.js. Everything is pre-configured and ready to go.

Free Credits

Start for free — no credit card required. Upgrade when you're ready.

Zero Debugging

No port conflicts, no memory issues, no firewall headaches.

Always On

Your agent runs 24/7 — even when your laptop is off.

Windows 10 Setup vs Ampere.sh

Feature	Windows 10	Ampere.sh
Setup Time	1–3 hours	60 seconds
Difficulty	High	None
Requires WSL2/Docker	Yes	No
Common Errors	Frequent	None
Maintenance	Manual updates	Fully managed
Uptime	Only when PC is on	24/7 always-on

Frequently Asked Questions

Does OpenClaw work on Windows 10 Home?

Yes. WSL2 is supported on Windows 10 Home starting from version 1903 (build 18362). Make sure your Windows is fully updated before starting the installation.

Do I need Hyper-V for Docker on Windows 10?

No. Docker Desktop uses WSL2 as its backend on Windows 10. During installation, select "Use WSL2 instead of Hyper-V" — this works on both Home and Pro editions.

How much RAM does OpenClaw actually use?

OpenClaw itself uses around 200-400MB. However, Docker Desktop and WSL2 together can consume 2-4GB. On a machine with 8GB RAM, expect things to be tight. 16GB is recommended for a comfortable experience.

Can I run OpenClaw without Docker on Windows 10?

Docker is the recommended method for Windows. Running without it requires manual dependency management and is not officially supported. If you want to skip Docker entirely, consider deploying on Ampere.sh instead.

Is Ampere.sh free?

Ampere.sh offers free credits to get started — no credit card required. You can deploy OpenClaw instantly and upgrade later if you need more resources.

Will OpenClaw work on Windows 11?

Yes. Windows 11 has native WSL2 support and the installation process is nearly identical. This guide works for both Windows 10 and 11.

Skip the Setup Hassle?

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