How to Run as Administrator in Windows 11

To run an app as administrator in Windows 11, right-click it in the Start menu, on the desktop, or in File Explorer and select Run as administrator, then select Yes in the User Account Control prompt. From Start search, you can also highlight the app and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.

Running as administrator gives a program permission to change system files and settings. Some installers, command-line tools, and older programs need it to work properly.

Run an App as Administrator From Start

1. Select Start and type the app’s name, such as Command Prompt.
2. Select Run as administrator on the right side of the search results. You can also right-click the result and choose it there.
3. Select Yes when User Account Control asks for permission.

Keyboard shortcut: type the app’s name in Start search, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.

Run a Pinned App as Administrator From the Taskbar

1. Hold Ctrl + Shift and click the app’s taskbar icon.
2. Select Yes in the prompt.

Or right-click the taskbar icon, right-click the app’s name in the menu that opens, and select Run as administrator.

Run a Program as Administrator From File Explorer or the Desktop

1. Right-click the program or its shortcut.
2. Select Run as administrator. If you don’t see it, select Show more options first.
3. Select Yes in the prompt.

Run as Administrator From the Run Box or Task Manager

Run box

1. Press Windows key + R.
2. Type the program name, such as cmd or regedit. (More on regedit in how to open Registry Editor in Windows 11.)
3. Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter instead of Enter, then select Yes.

Task Manager

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Select Run new task at the top.
3. Type the program name and check Create this task with administrative privileges.
4. Select OK.

The Task Manager method is useful when the Start menu or taskbar isn’t responding.

Always Run a Program as Administrator

For a shortcut

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

For the program file itself

1. Right-click the program’s .exe file and select Properties.
2. Open the Compatibility tab.
3. Check Run this program as an administrator, then select OK.

Windows still shows the User Account Control prompt each time. Only use this for programs that need it, because anything running as administrator can change system files.

Open Terminal as Administrator

Right-click Start and select Terminal (Admin), or press Windows key + X and then A. It opens PowerShell with administrator rights, and you can open a Command Prompt tab from the down arrow in the tab bar. For more ways, see how to run Command Prompt as admin on Windows 11.

Use sudo to Run One Command as Administrator

On Windows 11 version 24H2 and later, you can run a single command with admin rights from a normal Terminal window, the same way Linux and Mac users do.

1. Open Settings > System > Advanced.
2. Turn on Enable sudo.
3. In Terminal, type sudo before a command and approve the prompt. For example:

sudo notepad C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

By default, the command runs in a new window. Microsoft explains the other options and the security considerations on its sudo for Windows page.

If Run as Administrator Doesn’t Work

1. Check that you’re using an administrator account in Settings > Accounts > Your info.
2. Make sure you’re selecting Yes in the User Account Control prompt. If no prompt appears, the program may be failing before it starts.
3. Restart the PC, then try again.
4. Temporarily check whether your antivirus is blocking the program. If you use Microsoft Defender, see how to turn off Windows Defender in Windows 11 for a short time or add an exclusion.
5. Right-click Start, select Terminal (Admin), and run sfc /scannow to repair damaged system files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Run as administrator missing?

Documents and most Microsoft Store apps can’t run as administrator. The option only appears for programs and scripts.

What if I don’t know the administrator password?

If you use a standard account, Windows asks for an administrator’s password. Ask the person who manages the PC, or sign in with an administrator account. If it’s your own PC and you need admin rights, see how to give yourself administrator rights in Windows 11.

How do I know if my account is an administrator?

Open Settings > Accounts > Your info. It says Administrator under your name if you are one.

Is it safe to run programs as administrator?

It’s safe for programs you trust that need it, such as installers and system tools. Avoid it for programs downloaded from unknown sites, because admin rights let them change anything on the PC.