How to run apps as administrator on Windows 10
Windows 10 includes several ways to run an app with administrator privileges, and here’s how.
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On Windows 10, the ability to run an app as administrator is an essential skill that every user should know because, by design, apps operate in user mode to prevent potential unwanted changes that may negatively affect the experience. However, some trusted programs may sometimes require elevated permissions, and understanding the steps to run them with appropriate permissions always comes in handy.
Whatever the reason it might be,Windows 10includes several methods for quickly starting an app with elevated privileges, including the Start menu, File Explorer, Command Prompt, and more. However, it’s important to note that this is only true for traditional desktop (Win32) programs, since modern apps through the Microsoft Store can’t run elevated.
In thishow-to guide, I will walk you through launching an app with administrator privileges to complete an elevated task.
How to run app as administrator from Stat menu
As an administrator, you have at least two quick ways to start an application using the Start menu.
Start context menu
To run a program as administrator from the Start menu context menu, use these steps:
Start menu keyboard shortcut
To start an app with admin right using the keyboard shortcut, use these steps:
How to run app as administrator from Search
If you use the search experience, you also have two ways to run apps with administrative permissions.
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Search result menu
To open an app as an administrator from the search box, use these steps:
Search keyboard shortcut
To run an app from search with a keyboard shortcut, use these steps:
How to run app as administrator from desktop
On Windows 10, you can also start apps elevated from the desktop or taskbar.
Desktop context menu
To start an app with elevated privileges from the desktop, use these steps:
Taskbar context menu
To run apps elevated from the Taskbar, use these steps:
How to run app as administrator from Run
To start a program as an admin user from the Run command, use these steps:
How to run app as administrator from Task Manager
To launch an app as an administrator from Task Manager, use these steps:
How to run app as administrator from File Explorer
File Explorer includes at least two ways to launch apps as an administrator user.
Context menu
To open app elevated with File Explorer, use these steps:
Ribbon menu
To run a program as an administrator with the ribbon menu, use these steps:
How to run app as administrator from Command Prompt
To run an app elevated from Command Prompt, use these steps:
In the command, update the syntax with your computer name, administrator user, and the correct program path. For example, this command starts PowerShell 7 with administrator privileges:runas /user:“wm-win10-rp\user@email.com” “C:\Program Files\PowerShell\7\pwsh.exe”
If you want to run an app always as an administrator,you can use these steps.
More resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
