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Many times we need to open Command Prompt window as Administrator in Windows which is
also called as "Elevated Command Prompt" window. By default when you launch a Command
Prompt window, it opens in a restricted mode i.e. some advanced commands can't be executed in
this mode. It happens to prevent accidental execution of some advanced commands which can
interact with Windows boot loader, etc.

But there are situations when you might need to open Command Prompt window as Administrator
so that you can execute those restricted commands such as enabling hidden Administrator account
in Windows, fixing Windows 7 boot screen, etc.

Today in this tutorial, we are going to share some easy ways to quickly launch Command Prompt
window as Administrator. There are methods available for almost all Windows versions including
Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and later.

So without wasting time lets start the tutorial:

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1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator from Start Menu
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This method will work in all Windows versions except Windows 8 and later as Microsoft has
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1. Click on Start button or Start ORB and go to All programs -> Accessories.
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2. Now right-click on Command Prompt shortcut and select "Run as Administrator" option. Update 1

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You can do the same for any Command Prompt shortcut whether its pinned to Start Menu,
Taskbar or placed at Desktop.

2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator using Start Menu Search

This method will only work in Windows Vista and Windows 7 as these are the only Windows
versions which come with Start Menu search functionality.

1. Click on Start ORB and type cmd. It'll show cmd.exe in search results.

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3/1/14 [Guide] Different Ways to Open Command Prompt as Administrator in Windows - AskVG

2. Don't click on the shortcut. Press and hold Ctrl and Shift keys and then press Enter. It'll open
Command Prompt with Administrator privileges.

3. Open Command Prompt as Administrator using Windows 8 "Win+X" Menu

Both above mentioned methods will not work in Windows 8 but Windows 8 comes with some
other easier methods to launch Command Prompt window as Administrator. One of them is using
the new "Win+X" menu which can be accessed either by right-clicking on bottom-left corner of
screen or by pressing Win+X keys together.

This menu contains a direct shortcut to launch Command Prompt as Administrator.

4. Open Command Prompt as Administrator using Windows 8 Start Screen

This is another method to open Command Prompt as Administrator in Windows 8. We all know
that Microsoft has replaced Start Menu with new Start Screen in Windows 8. We can launch
Command Prompt as Administrator using this new Start Screen as well.

1. Go to Start Screen in Windows 8 by pressing Win key and then type cmd.

2. Windows will show Command Prompt in search results page. Right-click on the shortcut and
select "Run as administrator" option given at the bottom.

5. Open Command Prompt as Administrator using Windows 8 Explorer

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Windows 8 Explorer comes with Office 2010 style Ribbon UI and Microsoft has added an option to
launch Command Prompt in this ribbon.

1. Open Windows Explorer and go to a drive or folder.

2. Now click on File menu present in the ribbon and select "Open command prompt -> Open
command prompt as administrator" option.

6. Open Command Prompt as Administrator using Secret Task Manager Trick

This method works in all Windows versions. Its a hidden feature of Windows which allows you to
launch Command Prompt with Administrator privileges using Task Manager.

Check out following tutorial to learn more about this secret feature:

Hidden Secret Trick to Open "Command Prompt" Window Using Task Manager

7. Always Open Command Prompt as Administrator

If you want to always open Command Prompt window as Administrator, you can follow these
simple steps:

1. Right-click on Command Prompt shortcut and select Properties.

2. Now click on "Advanced" button present in "Shortcut" tab.

3. Enable "Run as administrator" option and apply the changes.

4. That's it. Now Command Prompt window will always open with Administrator privileges.

PS: If you want, you can enable hidden built-in Administrator account in Windows and then you'll
always have Administrator privileges for all tasks:

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3/1/14 [Guide] Different Ways to Open Command Prompt as Administrator in Windows - AskVG
How to Enable / Activate Hidden Administrator Account in Windows?

That's it. These are the different ways to open Command Prompt as Administrator in Windows. If
you know about any other method, feel free to share it in your comment...

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Posted by: Vishal Gupta | Categories: Windows 7, Windows 8 / 8.1, Windows Vista, Windows XP

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Comments

zydrius32

5th was secret for me. c;

VG

^^ We learn new things everyday. ;)

Asrin475

Nice Ways VG~

but I have a problem with CMD
every time I use cmd, it showing an error message like
" 'copy' is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file."

VG

^^ Does the same error appear every time you open Command Prompt? Or does it appear only
when you try to execute copy command?

Len

how about the easiest way: hit the Windows key, type cmd, right click and select run as
administrator

Asrin475

Yes, It appears every time. but the error never shows when I open Command Prompt Directly
(double click) from the "System32" folder.

VG

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3/1/14 [Guide] Different Ways to Open Command Prompt as Administrator in Windows - AskVG
^^ It seems some extra parameters have been added to Command Prompt shortcut in your
Windows. Try to create a new shortcut.

@Len
Its mentioned in point 2 in an easier way. ;)

Asrin475

Can You Please Instruct Me. VG~

Seahorsepip

"Press and hold Ctrl and Shift keys and then press Enter."
So handy using cmd daily so running it as admin by holding 2 keys is extremely handy :P
Thanks for this info :D

mert

On taskbar (pinned win8 win7)

Type cmd after pressing start button in keyboard Ctrl Shift Enter.
Ctrl Shift Enter to shortcut in quick launch -vista- (not sure about it...)

OR

Use batch to exe converter programs (one of them shared here before...)
-Open notepad type start and save it as admin.bat
-Put it to batch-to-exe program, check run as admin button in program
-Convert it and copy admin.exe file into windows directory (%windir%)
-type admin and hit enter in startmenu-run box-task manager-

Easiest Way To Open As Admin

*** Turn off User Account Control ***
=)

VG

^^ Thanks for your input. :)

@Seahorsepip
You are welcome. :)

@Asrin475
Open Command Prompt shortcut Properties and post here what values following fields contain:

Target
Start in

Asrin475

Thanks VG, But I don't use Shortcuts for cmd,

I Execute CMD from the Folder Context Menu.

VG

^^ What value following key contain:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\cmd\command
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\cmd\command

Asrin475

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\cmd\command cmd.exe /s /k pushd "%V"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\cmd\command cmd.exe /s /k pushd "%V"

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VG

^^ Looks fine. Need to investigate more. Do you get that error message only when you select
Command Prompt shortcut from folder context menu or are there other locations too such as files
context menu, etc?

Asrin475

Yes VG~.

VG

^^ What do you mean by yes? Please provide proper details.

Asrin475

Sorry!. I mean the error comes in all other locations context menu.

VG

^^ Please post the value of PATH environment variable. You'll find this variable in same location of
TEMP variable:

http://www.askvg.com/where-does-windows-store-temporary-files-and-how-to-change-temp-
folder-location/

Asrin475

Your Right VG~

The PATH Environment Variable has been set to "C:\Program Files\Intel\WiFi\bin\;C:\Program
Files\Common Files\Intel\WirelessCommon\"

and I Was changed the value to "C:\Windows\System32" . now the problem is solved ..

Lots of Thanks VG~!

Good Luck.

VG

^^ Glad to help you. :)

Rakesh(RKY)

I m facing a prblm that whenever i plug in pendrive and try to open it opens C drive why this is
happening help me plz...

VG

^^ Right click on the drive icon and select Explore command. Does it also open C: drive?

Rakesh(RKY)

Yes... By exploring it again open C drive.

VG

^^ Try to disable AutoPlay from Control Panel and it should fix the problem. I think an autorun.inf
file exists in your USB drive which is causing this problem.

Ravi

I was searching different ways to open CMD and finally found them ...Thanks for the post...

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rob

can windows8 be reinstated via command promt

Brian Shick

I have the problem where I use a batch file to create a directory on the C:\Program files. In Win-7 is
gives an "Access Denied" error. If I use the Admin cmd prompt it works fine. Is htere a way to set
the CMD promt with a batch file to allow an admin to open a CMD window in Admin mode, create
the folder in the program files, copy the application into the new folder, then set the regestery key
back as it was originally?

I hat to start putting our company applications in other locations than the Program Files folder just
because they load easier... This was not an issue in XP.

Thanks for any help...!

VG

^^ Did you try to enable "Run as Administrator" option in batch file Properties?

Bishnu

but i have no access of administrator so how can i unlock?

Ravi Patel

Hi VG is there a way we can have multiple runas items in registry.

Like have Folder\shell\runas

and
Directory\shell\runas

But command in the Folder key take precedence over and right click only shows the command in
Folder key.

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