How to Delete a Docker Image on Windows VPS

Introduction

Docker is a popular tool for creating, managing, and deploying containers. If you’re running Docker on a Windows VPS, you may occasionally need to delete unused Docker images to free up space or maintain your environment. This guide will show you how to delete Docker images efficiently.

Step 1: List Docker Images

Before deleting a Docker image, it’s important to identify which images are currently available on your system:

1. Open a terminal or command prompt on your Windows VPS.
2. Run the following command to list all Docker images:

docker images

This will display a table with the image repository, tag, and image ID.

Step 2: Delete a Specific Docker Image

Once you’ve identified the image you want to delete, use the following command:

docker rmi <IMAGE_ID>

Replace <IMAGE_ID> with the actual ID of the image you want to delete (e.g., docker rmi abc123def456).

Step 3: Force Delete an Image

If the image is currently being used by a container, you might encounter an error when trying to delete it. To forcefully remove the image, use:

docker rmi -f <IMAGE_ID>

Be cautious when using the force option, as it will remove the image even if it’s in use.

Step 4: Clean Up Unused Images

You can remove all unused Docker images in one go to free up disk space by running:

docker image prune

To remove all unused images, containers, and networks, use:

docker system prune

Add the -a flag to remove all unused images, including dangling ones:

docker system prune -a

Step 5: Verify Deletion

To ensure the image has been deleted, list the remaining images by running:

docker images

If the image is no longer listed, it has been successfully removed.