How to Solve Error Message parson JSON invalid character when running Docker Desktop in Microsoft Windows

Introduction

This article will show how to solve an error message appear when running Docker Desktop in Windows. In order to be specific, it is a Docker Desktop running in Microsoft Windows 10. So, the following is the appearance of the error message :

After scrolling it down, the following is the other appearance of the error message in order to give another view of it :

Solution

Actually the error message is very clear where the trigger causing it is the daemon.json file exist in ‘C:\Users\Administrator\.docker’. Apparently, Docker Desktop is using that path to store configuration files of the Docker Desktop. Previously, there is an attempt to edit that file directly. The following is the actual modification of the file :

{
"builder": { "gc": { "defaultKeepStorage": "20GB", "enabled": true } },
"experimental": false,
"features": { "buildkit": true },
"insecure-registries": { localhost:5000 },
"registries": { localhost:5000 }
}

Apparently, editing the file is causing the Docker Desktop cannot run properly. The following is the content after editing the file daemon.json :

{
"builder": { "gc": { "defaultKeepStorage": "20GB", "enabled": true } },
"experimental": false,
"features": { "buildkit": true }
}

So, after trying to edit and return it back to its own original configuration, the attempt end in a failure.

In that case, there is an offer from Docker Desktop to reset it which is going to return back to its factory setting. Unfortunately, this will wipe out every images, containers exist which is available in the current Docker Desktop. The following image is describing it :

Just click the Reset to factory defaults button. It will then pop up a window dialog box asking to continue the reset process. Click the Reset button to proceed on resetting Docker Desktop to its original state. Beware that this step will wipe out entirely the image, container exist in the current Docker Desktop. After resetting the Docker Desktop and restart the operating system, the Docker Desktop will appear with the display where it is as if the first time installation as follows :