How to Open Apps in Admin Mode in Windows 11?

Windows has two set of user roles by default – administrator and standard user. Though standard users can install programs, you need admin access for modifying system files. In this article, we will explain how to open apps in admin mode in Windows 11.

Why You Need Admin Mode?

Windows 11 comes with many default apps like Notepad, Paint, etc. However, these apps are not much useful when you want to create professional work like creating a Word document or connecting to a VPN. Standard users can install programs that is only available for them and do not modify system files. For example, all Microsoft Store apps do not need admin access. However, most of the desktop apps from third-party websites need administrator access to install them for all users on your computer.

Whenever a desktop app needs to run in an admin mode, Windows will show User Account Control pop-up and ask you confirm the access. If you are already logged in as an admin, you can simply press “Yes” button to proceed further. Otherwise, you need to provide admin login credentials to run the program.

Open Apps in Admin Mode

There are multiple ways you can open apps in admin mode depending upon the purpose.

1. Using Default Windows Option

In certain cases, Windows by default offers two versions of the app. One is for the standard access and other is with admin access. The best example of this case is a Windows Terminal app that is available with an admin access. You can press “Win + X” keys to open the power user menu. Here, you will see two versions of the app Windows Terminal and Windows Terminal (Admin). Click on the option with admin access to open PowerShell app and run commands like check disk.

You will see the PowerShell app showing on the title bar that is running in administrator mode.

2. When Opening from Windows Search

The second option is to search and open any desktop app in administrator mode. Press the search icon in taskbar and type the name, for example – command prompt to get the results. You can click on the “Run as administrator” option available on the right pane of the search results. Alternatively, you can also right click on the desktop app in the left pane and select “Run as administrator” option.

You can see the Command Prompt app is available in administrator mode.

3. Open from Desktop Shortcut

This is the simplest option when you have a shortcut for the app in your desktop. Simply right click on the app shortcut and select “Run as administrator” option.

If you don’t have a shortcut for the app in your desktop, check option 8 for creating a desktop shortcut.

4. Open with Admin Access from File Explorer

You can also open apps with admin access directly when working in File Explorer. Find the executable application file and right click on it. Select “Run as administrator” option from the context menu. Note that you have to first open the application in admin mode before accessing the files. You can’t directly open the files in admin mode. Only “Applications” in the column “Type” will show the run as administrator option in context menu when right clicking.

5. Open from Start Menu

The next way to open an app in admin mode is to access it from the Start menu. Press Window key to open Start menu to view apps under “Pinned” section. If you do not see your app then click on “All apps” button to view the complete list of available apps on your computer. Right click on required app and select “Run as administrator” option.

6. Run New Task from Task Manager

You can also create a new task and run it with administrator privileges using Task Manager.

• Press the search icon in taskbar to search and open Task Manager app.
• When you are in Task Manager, click on “New” menu and select “Run new task” option.

• On the “Create new task” pop-up, enter the program name you want to open like notepad.exe.
• Select the checkbox below that says, “Create this task with administrative privileges”.

• Click “OK” button to launch the app in admin mode.

7. Open App in Admin Mode from Run Prompt

Another way to open apps in admin mode is to access them from the Run prompt.

• Press “Win + R” keys to Run prompt.
• Type the program name like notepad.
• Instead of simply clicking on the “OK” button or pressing enter key, press “Control + Shift + Enter” keys.
• Now the app will open in admin mode for you.

8. Always Open App in Admin Mode

You can setup the app properties to always open it in an admin mode. Let us explain the process with Notepad app and you can follow the same for any other desktop app installed on your computer.

• First, you have to find the path of the executable file and Notepad is available in C:\Windows.
• Locate the notepad application file and right click on it.
• Select “Show more options” to open the legacy right click context menu with additional options.
• Click “Send to” option and select “Desktop (create shortcut)”.

• This will add a desktop shortcut for the app. Again, right click on the desktop shortcut and select “Properties” option.

• When you are on the “Properties” pop-up, go to “Shortcuts” tab and click on “Advanced” button.

• Enable the checkbox against “Run as administrator” and click “OK” buttons to close all pop-ups.

Now, whenever you open the Notepad through that desktop shortcut, it will always open in admin mode. The properties dialog box for certain apps like Microsoft Edge may look different. You will have additional “Compatibility” tab under which you can enable “Run this program as an administrator” option.

Disable User Account Control Pop-up

The problem with all the above methods is that Windows will still show you the User Account Control (UAC) pop-up when opening the app in admin mode. You have to confirm by pressing “Yes” button to open the app. This may be annoying if you are already logged as admin user. The solution to overcome the problem is to disable the UAC notifications.

• Press search icon and type “UAC” to open User Account Control Settings in Windows 11.
• The default setting is that you will be notified when an app tries to change computer files.
• Drag the slider to “Never Notify” option and click “OK” button.

This is not recommended as the apps can harm your computer by modifying files without any notification. However, if you are sure what you are doing then enable this option to get rid of the UAC pop-up that you need to confirm every time. Now, you will see a warning message when opening apps like Edge browser. It will show you to open the app in non-administrator mode for better performance. You can either ignore the message or close and disable the settings ion the properties to open it in normal mode.