Why docker wont start. Adding a User to the Docker Users Group: A Step-by-Step Guide

As a Docker user on Windows, you may have encountered an issue where you start it and nothing happens. This is because Docker requires the user to be part of the Docker Users group to function properly. In this article, we’ll explore why this is necessary and provide a step-by-step guide on how to add a user to the Docker Users group.

Why is the Docker Users group necessary?

Docker uses a client-server architecture, where the Docker client (Docker Desktop) communicates with the Docker daemon (dockerd) to manage containers. On Windows, the Docker daemon runs as a service, and by default, it only allows users with administrative privileges to interact with it.

To allow non-administrative users to use Docker, the Docker Users group was introduced. This group allows users to access the Docker daemon without requiring administrative privileges. When a user is added to the Docker Users group, they can run Docker commands and manage containers without needing to run Docker Desktop as an administrator.

How to add a user to the Docker Users group

Adding a user to the Docker Users group is a straightforward process. Here are the steps:

1. Open the Computer Management console: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type compmgmt.msc, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the Local Users and Groups section: In the Computer Management console, navigate to the Local Users and Groups section.
3. Select the Groups folder: Select the Groups folder to view a list of all groups on the system.
4. Find the Docker Users group: Scroll down to find the Docker Users group. If you don’t see it, you may need to create it (see below).
5. Add the user to the Docker Users group: Right-click on the Docker Users group and select Properties. In the Properties window, click on the Members tab and then click on the Add button. Enter the username you want to add to the group and click OK.

Creating the Docker Users group (if it doesn’t exist)

If you don’t see the Docker Users group in the list of groups, you may need to create it. Here’s how:

1. Right-click on the Groups folder: Right-click on the Groups folder and select New Group.
2. Enter the group name: Enter Docker Users as the group name and click Create.

Verifying the user is added to the Docker Users group

To verify that the user is added to the Docker Users group, follow these steps:

1. Open the Command Prompt: Open the Command Prompt as the user you added to the Docker Users group.
2. Run the docker info command: Run the docker info command to verify that Docker is working correctly.

That’s it! By adding a user to the Docker Users group, you can ensure that they can use Docker without requiring administrative privileges. If you have any issues or questions, feel free to ask in the comments below.