Docker for Windows 10 //./pipe/docker_engine: access is denied

This is a sideways way of answering your question, but I think it will be what you're after in the long run....

As of 1.12.2 Beta 26 Docker For Windows allows you to switch between Windows and Linux containers. The install is an MSI so it appears to set up the correct permissions too. (And you don't have to go though all the manual steps to get Windows containers working!)

I'm using 1.12.2 Beta 28 on Win 10. I can switch between Linux and Windows; and run Docker commands with out running PS as admin. I've tested 'docker ps', 'docker info', and 'docker search *' so far..

Here's where I got my info (https://stefanscherer.github.io/run-linux-and-windows-containers-on-windows-10/)

Although my user has Administrator privileges, I don't need to use an elevated PowerShell to run docker.

You can try making the connection via TCP. In Power Shell type:

$env:DOCKER_HOST="tcp://0.0.0.0:2375"
docker ps

Or

$env:DOCKER_HOST="tcp://localhost:2375"
docker ps

Since version 17.03.1-ce-win12 (12058) you must check Expose daemon on tcp://localhost:2375 without TLS if you use Docker for Windows and connecting via TCP

Regards