> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://taraxa.gitbook.io/taraxa-network/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://taraxa.gitbook.io/taraxa-network/node-setup/testnet_node_setup-1/windows.md).

# Windows

{% hint style="info" %}
These instructions are specific to Windows. Instructions are also available for [Mac](broken://pages/-MYp9ZMFv3Jl061AYoUm) and [Linux](broken://pages/-MYp9ZMETDZ5nHxoeZSg).
{% endhint %}

## 1. Install Docker

Before running the node we need to install Docker.

You can download Docker Desktop for Windows from [here](https://desktop.docker.com/win/stable/amd64/Docker%20Desktop%20Installer.exe).

![Download Docker](/files/-MYp9ZeAE7Vy27Rfp81a)

After the download finishes you will find the executable file in your downloads folder.

![Downloaded Docker](/files/-MYp9ZeBpYmXnslkup8A)

Open `Docker Desktop Installer.exe`. and you should see a screen similar to this:

![Open Docker](/files/-MYp9ZeC4KZef23EsNLd)

Press "Ok" and don't uncheck any of the default options.

Now Docker is installing:

![Install Docker](/files/-MYp9ZeDYc0eiHO72j44)

After the installation is finished you can click the "Close" button and Docker is going to start automatically.

![Docker Installed](/files/-MYp9ZeEDg4UyLqffsgO)

## 2. Install WSL 2

Docker needs to install extra dependencies for running Linux containers on Windows.

You will get a notice similar to the one below.

*NOTE: Don't close the notice window*

If you click on the provided link a new browser window will open and we can download the dependency.

![WSL Notice](/files/-MYp9ZeFZVTiBOYWzTTG)

Click on the link under "Download the latest package"

![Download WSL 2](/files/-MYp9ZeGXGQlmUjkrkHM)

You can find the executable in your downloads folder.

![WSL 2 Downloaded](/files/-MYp9ZeHcFNIOcEnp70F)

Open the executable and click "Next" on the first screen.

![Install WSL 2](/files/-MYp9ZeI-MSyHTziiv6P)

After the setup is complete click the "Finish" button.

![WSL 2 Installed](/files/-MYp9ZeJ0BwGZH58FxKP)

Now you can click the "Restart" button on the original notice window.

![Restart WSL 2](/files/-MYp9ZeKHRyXNB45oyA0)

## 3. Starting Docker Desktop

If everything went well you will see the following message.

![Docker Desktop is starting notification](/files/-MYp9ZeL-7aDgB-4qGWF)

And if you open the Docker Desktop application you should see the following window.

![Docker Desktop App is starting](/files/-MYp9ZeMQ7JQ-YRiXEYW)

When Docker Desktop starts successfuly you will see the yellow icon turn green.

![Docker Desktop Started](/files/-MYp9ZeNMiOY1HXKpKdV)

## 4. Download Taraxa scripts

In order to run the node we need a set of scripts. You can download the scripts from [this link](https://github.com/Taraxa-project/taraxa-ops).

![Download Taraxa Scripts](/files/-MYp9ZeO863mZeqbgcFi)

{% hint style="danger" %}
GitHub is blocked in some countries. If you can't access the previous link please refer to the [GitHub is blocked](https://docs.taraxa.io/node-setup/testnet_node_setup/github_blocked) document.
{% endhint %}

Click on "Download ZIP" under the "Code" menu and the download should start.

After the download is complete you can find a new zip file in your downloads folder.

Right click on the file and select the "Extract All" option.

![Extract Scripts](/files/-MYp9ZeP_3DuSSmVNedP)

In the first screen click the "Browse" button.

![Extract Browse](/files/-MYp9ZeQA3emMA4X25rP)

Now select "Desktop" from the left menu.

![Select Desktop](/files/-MYp9ZeR3KWkScnvfRyc)

And finally click the "Extract" button.

![Extract](/files/-MYp9ZeSb4cPIDik6m6s)

You should see a new folder on your Desktop.

![Extracted](/files/-MYp9ZeTuq0Hoydk4sxh)

## 5. Start the Taraxa Node

For starting the actual node software we need to use the PowerShell console.

Click on the start menu and type `PowerShell`.

When the application appears open it.

![Open PowerShell](/files/-MYp9ZeUgQKQ73pHhs4m)

You should see a window similar to this:

![PowerShell Opened](/files/-MYp9ZeVxyRrxwV-EpOK)

Type the following commands one by one:

```bash
cd .\Desktop\taraxa-ops-master\taraxa_compose\
docker-compose up -d
docker-compose logs -f
```

![Go to Scripts Folder](/files/-MYp9ZeWgqtrqyosnamK)

Now docker is pulling the Taraxa Node image. You should see something similar to this:

![Start the Taraxa Node](/files/-MYp9ZeX4aHD83n8aauy)

After it finishes pulling the latest version the node will start and you should see something similar to the following:

![Node running](/files/-MYp9ZeYkWPeIG3by3OQ)

\_NOTE: You can press `CTRL` + `C` to stop displaying the logs

## 6. Update the Taraxa Node

From time to time we will announce software updates and breaking protocol changes to the testnet via the #node-operations channel in our [Taraxa community Discord](https://discord.com/invite/WaXnwUb), Telegram channel and Twitter account.

{% content-ref url="/pages/-M\_XFshE0J2ZfGijLjDZ" %}
[Upgrade a Node](/taraxa-network/node-setup/upgrade-a-node.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}