How to Run Command Prompt as Administrator in Windows 11

The quickest way to run Command Prompt as administrator in Windows 11 is to press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter, or click Run as administrator on the right of the search results. Click Yes when User Account Control asks. You’ll know it worked when the window title starts with Administrator:. Below are five more ways to do it, plus how to make a shortcut that always opens elevated.

Method 1: Start menu search

1. Press the Windows key or click Start.
2. Type cmd.
3. Click Run as administrator in the right pane, or press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
4. Click Yes in the User Account Control prompt.

Method 2: The Run box

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type cmd.
3. Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter instead of just Enter, then click Yes.

Method 3: Terminal (Admin)

1. Right-click Start or press Windows + X.
2. Choose Terminal (Admin) and click Yes.
3. Windows Terminal usually opens PowerShell. Click the down arrow next to the tab and choose Command Prompt, or press Ctrl + Shift + 2. The new tab is elevated too.

To make Command Prompt the default, open Terminal’s Settings (Ctrl + ,), set Default profile to Command Prompt, and click Save.

Method 4: Task Manager

Useful if the Start menu or taskbar isn’t working.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click Run new task at the top.
3. Type cmd, tick Create this task with administrative privileges, and click OK.

Method 5: From File Explorer

1. Open File Explorer and go to C:\Windows\System32.
2. Find cmd.exe, right-click it, and choose Run as administrator.

Method 6: A shortcut that always runs as administrator

1. Right-click the desktop and choose New > Shortcut.
2. Type cmd.exe, click Next, name it something like “Admin Command Prompt,” and click Finish.
3. Right-click the new shortcut, choose Properties, and on the Shortcut tab click Advanced.
4. Tick Run as administrator and click OK twice.

Double-clicking it now opens an elevated Command Prompt after the User Account Control prompt. The same trick works for other programs; see how to run as administrator in Windows 11.

Using sudo instead

Recent versions of Windows 11 include sudo, which runs a single command as administrator from a normal window, such as sudo sfc /scannow. Turn it on in Settings > System > For developers. See how to use sudo in Windows 11.

How to tell it’s running as administrator

• The title bar reads Administrator: Command Prompt.
• The starting folder is usually C:\Windows\System32 instead of your user folder.
• Type net session and press Enter. If it says “Access is denied,” you’re not elevated.

Common commands that need administrator rights

• sfc /scannow checks and repairs Windows system files.
• DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth repairs the Windows image that SFC relies on.
• chkdsk C: /f checks the drive for file system errors at the next restart.
• ipconfig /flushdns clears the DNS cache when websites won’t load.
• netsh winsock reset resets network settings; restart afterward.
• powercfg /batteryreport saves a battery health report on laptops.

Troubleshooting

No “Yes” button in User Account Control

You’re signed in with a standard account. An administrator has to enter their password in the prompt, or you need to sign in with an admin account.

Command Prompt opens and closes immediately

Your antivirus or a policy may block it. On a work PC, IT may have disabled Command Prompt.

“The requested operation requires elevation”

You ran the command in a normal window. Close it and open Command Prompt with one of the methods above.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to run Command Prompt as administrator?

Yes, but commands can change system settings and files. Only run commands you understand or that come from a trusted source.

What’s the difference between Command Prompt and PowerShell?

Both are command-line tools. PowerShell is newer and more powerful, but most Command Prompt commands also work in it. See how to open Command Prompt in Windows 11 for more.

Summary

Search for cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter, use Windows + R with the same shortcut, or choose Terminal (Admin) from the Windows + X menu. Check for “Administrator:” in the title bar.

Related: How to Enable Running Scripts in Windows 11.

Related: how to register a DLL in Windows 10.