How to set apps to always run as an administrator on Windows 10

By Mauro Huculak
published

If you always need to run an app with admin privileges, here's the quickest way to do to it on Windows 10.

On Windows 10, sometimes you have to run programs as an administrator to access advanced functionalities to change system settings. For instance, if you work with Command Prompt or PowerShell, you may need to run them with elevated privileges to execute most commands.

If you use applications that require elevation in the daily basis, you've probably noticed that they don't run with the highest privileges by default. Instead, you have to access the right-click context menu or use other methods to run the program as an administrator. It's not a complicated process, but if it's an app that you use regularly, the extra steps can get in the way pretty quickly.

Luckily, it's possible to configure an app to always run as an administrator to save some unnecessary steps.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the easy steps to configure program shortcuts to run with elevated privileges.

How to always run an app elevated on Windows 10

To set a particular application to always run as an administrator, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for the app that you want to run elevated.
  3. Right-click the top result, and select Open file location.Quick Tip: If you're running the October 2018 Update, as you search, you can click the Open file location option on the list of actions that appears on the right.

  1. Right-click the app shortcut and select Properties.

  1. Click on the Shortcut tab.
  2. Click the Advanced button.

  1. Check the Run as administrator option.

  1. Click the OK button.
  2. Click the Apply button.
  3. Click the OK button.

Once you've completed the steps, every time that you start the app, it'll run with elevated privileges. Of course, if you're using the default User Account Control Settings (recommended), you'll still need to approve the UAC dialog to continue with the application.

At any time, you can revert the changes with the same instructions, but on step No.7, make sure to clear the Run as administrator option.

Although we're focusing this guide on Windows 10, you can use the same instructions to always run apps as an administrator on Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and older versions.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.