Run PowerShell as Administrator in Windows

Running PowerShell as administrator lets you execute commands that require elevated privileges, such as installing software, changing system settings, or managing user accounts. This guide shows you several ways to open an elevated PowerShell window in Windows 10 and Windows 11, including the fastest keyboard method and the classic right-click approach.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC
• An account with administrator privileges (or the password for such an account)

Step-by-Step

1. Use the Start Menu (Windows 11): Click the Start button or press the Windows key. Type PowerShell in the search box. You’ll see “Windows PowerShell” (or “PowerShell” depending on your version). On the right side, click Run as administrator. If you don’t see that option, click the small arrow next to the result and select it there.
2. Use the Start Menu (Windows 10): Click Start and type PowerShell. Right-click the “Windows PowerShell” result and choose Run as administrator from the context menu.
3. Use the Power User Menu (Windows 10/11): Press Windows + X to open the quick link menu. From the list, select Terminal (Admin) on Windows 11, or Windows PowerShell (Admin) on Windows 10. If you don’t see it, look for “Command Prompt (Admin)” – you can still type powershell there and press Enter.
4. Use the Run Dialog: Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog. Type powershell and then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter instead of just Enter. This is a fast way to launch it elevated without using the mouse.
5. Use Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Click File and then Run new task. Type powershell, check the box that says Create this task with administrative privileges, and click OK.
6. Use File Explorer: Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where you want to work. In the address bar, type powershell and press Enter – but that opens a normal window. To run as admin, press Ctrl + Shift + Enter after typing the command in the address bar.

Common Mistakes

• Just pressing Enter in the Run dialog – This opens PowerShell without admin rights. You must use Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
• Right-clicking the taskbar icon – If PowerShell is pinned to the taskbar, right-clicking it only shows a list of recent documents, not the “Run as administrator” option. You need to right-click the app in the Start menu search results instead.
• Ignoring the User Account Control (UAC) prompt – When you click “Run as administrator,” a UAC dialog will appear. If you click “No” or dismiss it, PowerShell opens without admin rights. You must click “Yes” to continue.
• Using the wrong account – If your user account is not an administrator, you’ll be prompted for an administrator password. If you don’t have that password, you cannot run elevated commands.

Tips

• Check if you’re admin: In the PowerShell window, type whoami /groups and look for the line that says “Mandatory Label\High Mandatory Level”. If you see it, you’re running elevated.
• Create a desktop shortcut: Right-click your desktop, choose New > Shortcut, type powershell, and click Next. Then right-click the shortcut, choose Properties, click the “Advanced” button, and check “Run as administrator”. Now you can double-click to launch elevated PowerShell.
• Use the Windows Terminal app: If you have Windows Terminal installed, you can open it and click the down arrow next to the new tab button, then select “Windows PowerShell” and choose “Open as administrator” from the context menu.
• Pin to taskbar for quick access: Right-click the PowerShell icon in the Start menu and choose “Pin to taskbar”. Then right-click the pinned icon, go to Properties, and set the shortcut to run as administrator as described above.

Troubleshooting

• “Run as administrator” is grayed out: This usually means your user account is not in the Administrators group. You’ll need to log in with an admin account or ask the system administrator to grant you the necessary permissions.
• UAC prompt doesn’t appear: If you click “Run as administrator” and nothing happens, check if the User Account Control settings are set to “Never Notify”. While this is not recommended, you can change it back by typing UAC in the Start menu, selecting “Change User Account Control settings”, and moving the slider up.
• PowerShell opens but commands fail with “Access Denied”: This indicates that the window is not actually elevated. Close it and try again using one of the methods above, ensuring you click “Yes” on the UAC prompt.
• Windows Terminal opens instead of PowerShell: In Windows 11, PowerShell is integrated into Windows Terminal. When you select “Windows PowerShell” from the Start menu, it may open a tab in Terminal. To get an elevated tab, click the down arrow next to the tab bar and select “Windows PowerShell” and then “Open as administrator”.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need to run PowerShell as administrator?

Many system-level commands, such as installing Windows updates, modifying the registry, or changing network settings, require elevated privileges. Without admin rights, you’ll get permission errors.

Is it safe to run PowerShell as administrator?

It’s safe as long as you know what commands you’re running. PowerShell is a powerful tool, and with admin rights you can make system-wide changes. Always double-check commands from trusted sources.

What’s the difference between PowerShell and Windows PowerShell?

Windows PowerShell is the classic version (5.1) that comes with Windows. PowerShell (7+) is the newer cross-platform version that you can install separately. Both can be run as administrator using the same methods.

Can I run PowerShell as administrator from the command line?

Yes. If you already have a command prompt open, you can type powershell -Command "Start-Process powershell -Verb RunAs" and press Enter. This will trigger a UAC prompt and open an elevated PowerShell window.

Why does the UAC prompt appear every time I run PowerShell as admin?

That’s by design. UAC (User Account Control) is a security feature that asks for consent before allowing changes that affect the system. It’s a good practice to keep it enabled.

What if I don’t have an administrator password?

If your account is not an admin, you’ll need to ask the person who manages the computer for the admin password. Without it, you cannot elevate PowerShell.

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