Running Applications with Elevated Privileges from the Command Prompt

Introduction to Running Applications with Elevated Privileges

In Windows, running applications with elevated privileges is essential for performing administrative tasks. This can be achieved through the command prompt using various methods. In this tutorial, we will explore how to run an application as "run as administrator" from the command prompt.

Understanding Elevated Privileges

Elevated privileges allow a user or application to perform actions that would normally require administrative permissions. This includes tasks such as installing software, modifying system settings, and accessing restricted files.

Using the Runas Command

The runas command is used to run an application with elevated privileges. The basic syntax of the runas command is:

runas /user:<username> <command>

Replace <username> with the name of the user account that has administrative permissions, and <command> with the command or application you want to run.

Example:

runas /user:administrator "powershell.exe C:\testScripts\testscript1.ps1"

This will run the testscript1.ps1 PowerShell script as the administrator user.

Saving Credentials

To avoid being prompted for a password every time you use the runas command, you can save your credentials using the /savecred option:

runas /savecred /user:administrator "powershell.exe C:\testScripts\testscript1.ps1"

This will save your password for future use.

Using PsExec

PsExec is a utility from Sysinternals that allows you to run applications on remote computers. It also provides an option to run applications with elevated privileges using the -h option:

psexec -h powershell.exe C:\testScripts\testscript1.ps1

This will run the testscript1.ps1 PowerShell script with elevated privileges.

Best Practices

When running applications with elevated privileges, it’s essential to follow best practices to avoid security risks:

Use the runas command or PsExec only when necessary.
Avoid saving credentials for sensitive accounts.
Limit the use of administrative permissions to the minimum required.

Conclusion

Running applications with elevated privileges from the command prompt is a powerful feature in Windows. By using the runas command or PsExec, you can perform administrative tasks efficiently and securely. Remember to follow best practices to avoid security risks and limit the use of administrative permissions.