Docker cannot start on Windows

Question

The error is related to that part:

In the default daemon configuration on Windows, the docker client must be run elevated to connect

You can do this in order to switch Docker daemon, as elevated user:

With Powershell:

1. Open Powershell as administrator
2. Launch command: & 'C:\Program Files\Docker\Docker\DockerCli.exe' -SwitchDaemon

OR, with cmd:

1. Open cmd as administrator
2. Launch command: "C:\Program Files\Docker\Docker\DockerCli.exe" -SwitchDaemon

You can run "C:\Program Files\Docker\Docker\DockerCli.exe" -SwitchDaemon and point Docker CLI to either Linux or Windows containers. This worked for me.

I had the same problem.

Starting the docker daemon resolved the issue. Just search for docker pressing windows key and click on "Docker Dekstop". Daemon should be running in a minute.

After starting up Docker Desktop, make sure the docker daemon status in the bottom left is green and shows RUNNING when you hover over it.

Error Code:

error during connect: Get http://%2F%2F.%2Fpipe%2Fdocker_engine/v1.29/version: open //./pipe/docker_engine: The system cannot find the file specified. In the default daemon configuration on Windows, the docker client must be run elevated to connect . This error may also indicate that the docker daemon is not running.

Solutions:

1) For Windows 7 Command Window(cmd.exe), open cmd.exe with run as administrator and execute following command:

docker-machine env --shell cmd default

You will receive following output:

SET DOCKER_TLS_VERIFY=1
SET DOCKER_HOST=tcp://192.168.99.100:2376
SET DOCKER_CERT_PATH=C:\Users\USER_NAME\.docker\machine\machines\default
SET DOCKER_MACHINE_NAME=default
SET COMPOSE_CONVERT_WINDOWS_PATHS=true
REM Run this command to configure your shell:
REM @FOR /f "tokens=*" %i IN ('docker-machine env --shell cmd default') DO @%i

Copy the command below and execute on cmd:

@FOR /f "tokens=*" %i IN ('docker-machine env --shell cmd default') DO @%i

And then execute following command to control:

docker version

2) For Windows 7 Powershell, open powershell.exe with run as administrator and execute following command:

docker-machine env --shell=powershell | Invoke-Expression

And then execute following command to control:

docker version

3) If you reopen cmd or powershell, you should repeat the related steps again.

If you see docker desktop is STOPPED or Not Running screen at left side bottom, then do following

1. Open PowerShell with – Run as Administrator
2. Close Docker Desktop if it is open
3. Execute the following command on PowerShell “& 'C:\Program Files\Docker\Docker\DockerCli.exe' -SwitchDaemon”
4. Open Docker Desktop, it will get started.

I was facing this issue. I tried the above-mentioned steps and it worked for me. Thanks!