Search code examples
dockerwindows-10docker-desktop

Can I run Docker Desktop on Windows without admin privileges?


I know I need admin rights to install Docker Desktop; but do I have to be an admin to run it? The documentation doesn't say that I do, and Googling doesn't suggest that either; but if I try to run it as a non-privileged user, the process is killed instantly and I get an event-log entry saying "Process requires elevated rights to run."

I'm running Windows 10 Enterprise in a corporate environment and we have non-privileged accounts. Is Docker Desktop not available in this situation or have I just installed it incorrectly somehow?


Solution

  • I have not tested it, but this article seems to indicate that you can.

    TLDR;

    Problem

    The reason for requiring an admin session is that the Docker client in the default configuration uses a named pipe to connect to the Docker engine and that named pipe can only be accessed by administrators

    Solution

    To avoid this, you can simple allow your user FullControl access to that named pipe

    Original author also provides a powershell tool with sources to help perform this admin task.