How to Run as Administrator on Windows 11

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    Running something as administrator on Windows 11 means giving it elevated permissions so it can make system-level changes. You’ll run into this when installing software, troubleshooting, or running PowerShell commands. Here’s how to do it for apps, Command Prompt, PowerShell, shortcuts, and user accounts.

    Quick steps

    1. Right-click the app, shortcut, or .exe file you want to run.
    2. Select Run as administrator from the menu.
    3. Select Yes on the User Account Control (UAC) prompt.

    Before you start

    You’ll need an account that already has administrator rights on the device. Standard user accounts will still see the UAC prompt, but you’ll need an admin username and password to approve it. If you’re not sure what type of account you have, check with whoever manages the PC, or look in the Accounts section of Settings for account details.

    Keep in mind that many organization-managed PCs have admin rights, Windows Update behavior, and other settings controlled by IT policy. Microsoft’s Windows client documentation covers how IT departments deploy, secure, and manage these settings across an organization, and its guidance on managing additional Windows Update settings shows how some update and policy controls are only available on Microsoft Entra joined or managed devices. If your device is managed this way, you may not be able to elevate anything even if you’re the only person using it, and you may need to request access through your IT department instead.

    Run a program as administrator (right-click method)

    This is the method most people use, and it works for almost any app, installer, or executable file.

    1. Find the app’s icon, shortcut, or .exe file in File Explorer, on the desktop, or in the Start menu.
    2. Right-click it.
    3. Select Run as administrator.
    4. If you see a UAC prompt, select Yes to confirm, entering an admin password if asked.

    If you searched for the app using the Start menu’s search box instead, right-click the result and you’ll see the same Run as administrator option.

    Run as admin shortcut (keyboard method)

    If you’d rather skip the right-click menu, there’s a quick keyboard shortcut for apps you find through Start search.

    1. Select the Start button and type the name of the app.
    2. With the app highlighted in the search results, press Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
    3. Approve the UAC prompt to launch the app elevated.

    Make a shortcut always run as administrator

    If you open the same program elevated all the time, you can set its shortcut to request admin rights automatically instead of right-clicking every time.

    1. Right-click the program’s shortcut and select Properties.
    2. Go to the Shortcut tab and select Advanced.
    3. Check Run as administrator.
    4. Select OK, then Apply and OK again.

    From now on, double-clicking that shortcut will trigger the UAC prompt automatically.

    Open Command Prompt as administrator

    1. Select Start and type cmd.
    2. Right-click Command Prompt in the results.
    3. Select Run as administrator.
    4. Approve the UAC prompt.

    You’ll know it worked because the window title usually shows “Administrator: Command Prompt” at the top.

    Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal as administrator

    PowerShell is preinstalled on all modern versions of Windows and is the recommended tool for administrative tasks, including feature installs like Hyper-V and other system management jobs described in Microsoft’s Windows client documentation.

    1. Select Start and type PowerShell or terminal.
    2. Right-click Windows PowerShell or Terminal in the results.
    3. Select Run as administrator.
    4. Confirm the UAC prompt.

    Some commands, such as the ones used to install Hyper-V, require an elevated session and will simply fail if PowerShell isn’t running as administrator, so this step matters more than it might seem.

    Use Sudo for Windows to run elevated commands

    Sudo for Windows lets you run a single elevated command from an ordinary, non-elevated console session instead of opening a whole new admin window. It works a bit like the sudo command on Linux and Mac, and it’s built to run from Command Prompt, PowerShell, or Terminal.

    1. Check Microsoft’s official Sudo for Windows documentation to confirm the prerequisites and current setup steps for your version of Windows 11, since this is a newer capability and the exact settings path can change between releases.
    2. Turn the feature on following the steps in that documentation.
    3. From an unelevated Command Prompt, PowerShell, or Terminal window, type sudo before the command you want to run elevated.

    If you don’t see the option on your PC, refer to the official documentation to confirm whether your Windows 11 version and build support it.

    Enable the built-in Administrator account

    Windows 11 includes a hidden, built-in Administrator account that’s disabled by default. Most people never need it, but it can help with certain troubleshooting scenarios on a personal PC.

    1. Open an elevated Command Prompt or PowerShell window (see the steps above).
    2. Use the appropriate command to activate the built-in Administrator account. Check Microsoft’s official documentation for the current command syntax for your Windows 11 version before running it.
    3. Sign out, and you should now see Administrator as a sign-in option.

    Because this account has full system access, set a strong password on it if you plan to leave it active, and disable it again once you’ve finished whatever you needed it for.

    Grant administrator rights to a user account

    If you want another account on the PC to have admin rights, you can change its account type from the Accounts section of Settings.

    1. Open Settings and go to Accounts.
    2. Look for the option that lists other users or family members on the device. The exact menu name can vary a little between Windows 11 versions.
    3. Select the account you want to change, then look for an option to change its account type.
    4. Choose Administrator, and confirm the change.

    The user will need to sign out and back in for the new admin rights to take effect.

    If it doesn’t work

    You don’t see “Run as administrator” in the right-click menu

    This usually means the file isn’t an executable, shortcut, or installer, in which case there’s nothing to elevate. If it’s a legitimate app and the option is still missing, try right-clicking the actual .exe file in its installation folder rather than a pinned tile or taskbar icon.

    The UAC prompt doesn’t appear at all

    If nothing happens when you try to elevate, User Account Control notifications may have been turned down or disabled, often by an organization’s IT policy. On a personal or unmanaged PC, you can check this by searching for “UAC” or “Change User Account Control settings” in Start and adjusting the slider.

    You still get “Access denied” after running as administrator

    Confirm you’re actually signed in to an account with administrator rights, not just approving a UAC prompt with someone else’s credentials. Also check the file or folder’s permissions, since some locations require additional ownership changes even for admin accounts.

    There’s no administrator account on the PC at all

    On a work or school-managed device, your IT department controls who has admin rights, and you may need to request access rather than change it yourself. On a personal PC, you can enable the built-in Administrator account using the steps above as a workaround.

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the keyboard shortcut to run as administrator?

    From Start search results, press Ctrl+Shift+Enter on a highlighted app to launch it elevated instead of right-clicking and choosing the menu option.

    How do I know if I’m logged in as an administrator?

    Check the Accounts section of Settings, or ask whoever manages the device if you’re on a work or school PC. In general, if you can approve a UAC prompt without being asked for a different account’s credentials, you’re already signed in with administrator rights.

    Can I run a program as administrator without typing a password?

    If you’re already signed in to an administrator account, you can usually just select Yes on the UAC prompt without entering a password. A password is only required if you’re approving the prompt using a different admin account than the one you’re signed in with.

    Is it safe to enable the built-in Administrator account?

    It can be, as long as you set a strong password on it and disable it again once you’ve finished whatever troubleshooting you needed it for. Leaving a full-access account active without a strong password is a security risk.

    Why does Windows 11 keep asking for administrator permission?

    That’s User Account Control doing its job. It’s designed to flag any action that could change system settings or install software, so you get a chance to confirm it’s something you actually meant to do.

    Sources

    Updated on November 8, 2026
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