Run Programs (Applications) As Administrator In Windows 10

One Time Run

Some applications require a full administrator access to perform their functions or tasks. To run an application one time with a full administrator access we can locate the program icon or a shortcut in Windows Explorer, right-click it, and then select Run as administrator option.

Run as administrator
Run as administrator

The system will display the User Access Control (UAC) message so we will have to enter the appropriate administrative credentials and then click OK, or if we are logged on as an administrator and UAC is not configured to always require credentials, we can click Yes to start the application.

2 UAC
User Account Control

User Account Control (UAC) is a feature in Windows that can help you stay in control of your computer by informing you when a program makes a change that requires administrator-level permission. UAC works by adjusting the permission level of your user account. If you’re doing tasks that can be done as a standard user, such as reading e‑mail, listening to music, or creating documents, you have the permissions of a standard user – even if you’re logged on as an administrator.

Keyboard Shortcut

There’s a keyboard shortcut as well to run applications as administrator. While a program icon is selected, press Ctrl + Shift + Enter, click Yes to the User Access Control (UAC) warning and the program will then launch in admin mode. Alternatively, press Ctrl + Shift and click on the program icon.

File Explorer Tools

When we select an application while in File Explorer, we can go to the ribbon and select the tab labelled Application Tools. Here we’ll find the Run as administrator option.

Application Tools
Application Tools

Always Run A Program With Administrator Permissions

For programs that we use on a regular basis, we can set to always run with administrator permissions. To do this we need to find the main executable of the program we want to run. Them right-click it and go to its Properties. On the Compatibility tab, at the bottom of the window, check the “Run this program as an administrator” option and select Apply.

Always run as administrator
Always run as administrator

You’ll notice that the program icon will change and will include a UAC indicator on the bottom right corner, which shows that a UAC prompt will always appear before running the program.

We can also edit the properties of a program shortcut. Open the shortcut’s Properties window, then select the Shortcut tab and select the Advanced button. Now check the “Run as administrator” option and click OK.

Run as administrator for shortcut
Run as administrator for shortcut