Error when trying to run Windows containers: docker client must be run with elevated privileges

Docker Desktop
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9

Here is 2026 I still get this. How does one get to the docker desktop when one cannot get past the “For security reasons C:\ProgramData\DockerDesktop must be owned by an elevated account” error on installation?

Yes installing from an adminstrative powershell.

I answered this myself, but so as to leave breadcrumbs for the next dev:

  • Delete the C:\ProgramData\DockerDesktop directory
  • Open PowerShell as administrator
  • Change to the directory the installer is in
  • Start-Process ‘Docker Desktop Installer.exe’ -Wait install