To run a program as administrator in Windows 10, right-click the program or its shortcut and select Run as administrator. Then select Yes in the User Account Control box. From Start search, you can also type the app’s name, select it, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.

Applies to: Windows 10. Keep in mind that Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Security updates now come only through the Extended Security Updates program, which stops on October 12, 2027.

Running as administrator gives a program permission to change system files and settings. Only do it for apps you trust, and only when a task needs it.

Contents hide

1 Run as administrator once

2 Always run a program as administrator

3 If Run as administrator is missing or greyed out

4 Faster ways to run as administrator

5 Run a program as a different user

6 If it still doesn’t work as administrator

7 Frequently asked questions

Run as administrator once

Select Start and type the program’s name, such as cmd.
Select Run as administrator in the right pane, or right-click the result and choose it.
In the User Account Control box, select Yes. On a standard account, an administrator has to approve it.

Windows 10 User Account Control prompt asking to allow Windows Command Processor to make changes, with Yes highlighted — Select Yes (1) to allow it.

You can also right-click a desktop shortcut or a program file in File Explorer and select Run as administrator. More shortcuts are listed further down.

Always run a program as administrator

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

Advanced Properties for a shortcut in Windows 10 with Run as administrator checked and OK highlighted — Check Run as administrator (1) and select OK (2).

For a program file (.exe) instead of a shortcut, right-click it, select Properties > Compatibility, and check Run this program as an administrator.

Windows still shows the User Account Control box each time. That’s expected.

If Run as administrator is missing or greyed out

Some items, such as documents and many Microsoft Store apps, don’t have the option.
Your account may not be an administrator. Ask the person who manages the PC to approve it.

Faster ways to run as administrator

From Start search: type the program’s name, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter instead of Enter.
From the taskbar: hold Ctrl + Shift and click the program’s taskbar icon.
From Task Manager: press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, select File > Run new task, type the program name, check Create this task with administrative privileges, and select OK.
From PowerShell: run Start-Process notepad -Verb RunAs, replacing notepad with the program you want.

Each method still shows the User Account Control prompt, so you have to select Yes.

Run a program as a different user

On a standard account, you can start one program with another person’s administrator account instead. Hold Shift, right-click the program or its shortcut, select Run as different user, and enter that account’s name and password.

From Command Prompt, runas /user:AdminName notepad.exe does the same thing. Replace AdminName with the account name. The program then runs with that account’s settings and files, not yours.

If it still doesn’t work as administrator

Windows asks for a password instead of showing Yes. You’re signed in with a standard account. Enter an administrator’s password, or ask them to make your account an administrator.
Nothing happens after you select Yes. Your antivirus may be blocking the program. Check its notifications or quarantine.
You still get “Access is denied.” Some system files are protected even from administrators. If you’re trying to change one, there’s usually a supported setting that does the same job.
The program always opens as administrator and you don’t want it to. Clear the Run as administrator box on both the shortcut’s Advanced button and the program’s Compatibility tab.

Frequently asked questions

Why does Windows keep asking for permission?

That’s User Account Control. It checks with you before a program gets administrator access, which helps stop harmful changes.

What needs to run as administrator?

Tasks that change the whole PC, such as some Command Prompt commands and system settings. Two common examples are setting environment variables in Windows 10 and opening Command Prompt in Windows 10 for admin commands.

Is it safe to always run a program as administrator?

Only for programs you trust and that need it. A program running as administrator can change anything on the PC, so if it’s ever compromised, so is Windows. Most everyday apps, such as browsers and Office, should run normally.

How do I know if a window is running as administrator?

Command Prompt and PowerShell say Administrator in the title bar. For other apps, open Task Manager, select Details, right-click a column header, choose Select columns, and add Elevated.

The prompt itself is explained in How User Account Control works.

Matt Jacobs

Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.

His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.