What is com.docker.virtualization on Mac?
By Junaid, maker of Taskglass · Last reviewed
Runs Docker Desktop's Linux virtual machine, where your containers actually live.
These processes run the Linux virtual machine that Docker Desktop uses for containers, built on Apple's Virtualization framework (or Docker's own VM option). The memory you allow Docker in its settings is mostly used here or in Apple's Virtualization VirtualMachine process. High usage reflects what your containers are doing.
- Category
- Developer tools
- Made by
- Docker Inc.
- Safe to quit:
- With care
Shown in Activity Monitor as com.docker.virtualization, com.docker.krun
Why is com.docker.virtualization using so much CPU or memory?
- Containers doing heavy work
- A large memory limit configured in Docker Desktop
- Builds or databases running in containers
What to do
- 1Stop containers you don't need
- 2Reduce memory and CPU limits in Docker Desktop > Settings > Resources
- 3Quit Docker Desktop when not in use
Safe to quit? With care.
Force quitting stops all containers abruptly; quit Docker Desktop properly instead.
Related processes
- Docker DesktopDocker's app for running containers on a Mac inside a lightweight Linux virtual machine.
- Virtualization.framework VMA virtual machine run by Apple's Virtualization framework for apps like Docker, UTM or OrbStack.
- com.docker.backendDocker Desktop's main background service that manages the VM, networking and file sharing.
Part of the Taskglass Process Library