NullifyNetwork

Once you've installed PodMan, run the following command in the Windows Terminal to get the Docker CLI installed:-

    winget.exe install --id Docker.DockerCLI

With this added, Visual Studio will stop complaining about the lack of Docker Desktop, and start to run things, the container tools will also work.  You can also then change the settings which start/stop Docker Desktop in Visual Studio's Tools, Options menu.

For those in a corporate environment, this should save a lot of money on Docker Desktop seats!