How to Run Programs as Administrator in Windows 7

Sat, 09/25/2010 - 17:52 — Maximilian

There are times when some applications require full administrator access in order to work properly or run certain commands (such as the Command Prompt). This tutorial will show several alternatives on how to run any application with administrator permissions.

Run an Application Once as Administrator

Let's assume that you need to run a program only one time with administrator permissions. First off all, you need to find the program (usually it has the .exe extension) or a shortcut of it.

As an example, I will run the Task Scheduler having administrative privileges.

Right click on the program shortcut and select the 'Run as administrator' option.

You will receive an UAC (User Account Control) prompt, unless it is turned off (all the applications will run in admin mode by default in that case). Click on the Yes button to continue.

NOTE: If you are logged with a standard user account you have to enter the administrator's password and then click Yes(see image below).

Make an Application Run as Administrator Automatically

You can set any application to automatically run in administrator mode each time you use it. Right click on the program or its shortcut and select Properties.

Go to the Compatibility tab, check the option 'Run this program as an administrator' and press the OKbutton. Now just open the program.

If you perform this action as a standard user instead of an administrator, you first need to click on the 'Change settings for all users' button.

Then type in the administrator's password and press Yes.

A new window will appear where you have to check 'Run this program as administrator' and pressOK.

Just press the OK button once more to finish the process.

Another way to obtain the same result, but only for application shortcuts, involves using theAdvanced button from the Shortcut tab. Click on it.

Check the 'Run as administrator' option and press OK.

In the Properties window, press OK.

From now on, every time you open the application you will receive a UAC (User Account Control)prompt and the application will run with administrator permissions.