:) you don’t have to use containers, but they do simplify the install.

I don’t use containers.

There’s also no Setup.exe to download run where you just Next, Next, Finish.

So, instead, I have to install separate packages, configure them, deal with conflicting requirements, etc…

Did I have to learn Docker? No. Did I have to learn something else? Yes.

As someone else mentioned, spending some time learning what / how / why you’re doing will help massively later on. Probably why you’re getting Docker answers, they’re auto-suggesting it to start you off with something simpler…