---
title: "Run PowerShell as Administrator: Multiple Methods Explored"
description: "Learn various ways to run PowerShell as administrator in this comprehensive tutorial."
canonical: "https://adamtheautomator.com/powershell-run-as-administrator/"
---

# Run PowerShell as Administrator: Multiple Methods Explored

> Learn various ways to run PowerShell as administrator in this comprehensive tutorial.

Source: https://adamtheautomator.com/powershell-run-as-administrator/

---

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![Run PowerShell as Administrator: Multiple Methods Explored](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Powershell-As-Admin.png)

# Run PowerShell as Administrator: Multiple Methods Explored

[![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3af64110e538c07a01fd9f0782f700ce6ed2d798bbf7b120e299d375eca5b0b3?s=192&d=mm&r=g)Arman Castillote](https://adamtheautomator.com/author/arman-castillote/)11 November 20206 min. read

Categories: [IT Ops](/category/it-ops/)

Tags:[PowerShell](/tag/powershell/)

Table of Contents

*   [Prerequisites](#h-prerequisites)
*   [Running PowerShell as Administrator with a Right-Click](#running-powershell-as-administrator-with-a-right-click)
*   [Using the Search Bar](#using-the-search-bar)
*   [Using a Pinned Menu Item](#using-a-pinned-menu-item)
*   [Running PowerShell as Administrator Using File Explorer](#running-powershell-as-administrator-using-file-explorer)
*   [Using the File Explorer File Menu](#using-the-file-explorer-file-menu)
*   [Using the PowerShell Executable](#using-the-powershell-executable)
*   [Creating a Shortcut for PowerShell on the Desktop](#creating-a-shortcut-for-powershell-on-the-desktop)
*   [Running PowerShell as Administrator Using WinX Menu](#running-powershell-as-administrator-using-winx-menu)
*   [Using the Run Command Window](#using-the-run-command-window)
*   [Using Task Manager](#using-task-manager)
*   [Running PowerShell as Administrator with the Command Line](#running-powershell-as-administrator-with-the-command-line)
*   [Creating a Batch File to Run PowerShell as Administrator](#creating-a-batch-file-to-run-powershell-as-administrator)
*   [Creating a Scheduled Task to Run PowerShell as Administrator](#creating-a-scheduled-task-to-run-powershell-as-administrator)
*   [Further Reading](#further-reading)

Whether you’re just starting out with PowerShell or you already know how to run commands, there are times when you must use PowerShell to ‘run as administrator’ Why? Because sometimes, any activity you do inside of PowerShell will require elevated privileges.

In this tutorial, you’re going to learn just about every way possible to run PowerShell as administrator from the perspective of an end-user, a command-line junkie, or an IT admin!

This tutorial has many sections each showcasing how to run PowerShell as administrator. Feel free to click on whichever method you prefer in the Table of Contents.

## Prerequisites

This article will be a hands-on tutorial. If you’d like to follow along, please be sure you have:

*   A Windows 10 PC – Although Windows 10 was used as an example for this article, most of the methods provided will work with Windows 7+.
*   An account with administrator privileges. If you don’t already have one, learn how to create one [here](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-a-local-user-or-administrator-account-in-windows-20de74e0-ac7f-3502-a866-32915af2a34d).
*   PowerShell – Most of these methods will work with Windows PowerShell 5.1 or [PowerShell 7](https://adamtheautomator.com/powershell-7-upgrade/).

## Running PowerShell as Administrator with a Right-Click

One of the simplest ways to run PowerShell as administrator is with a right-click. There are a few different areas where you can right click on PowerShell and run it. Let’s run through them.

### Using the Search Bar

The **Search Bar** is practically one of the easiest ways to run most of the programs installed on your computer. It’s also an easy way to run any program as administrator, including PowerShell.

To run PowerShell, specifically, as administrator from the search bar:

1.  Click on the **search box** at the taskbar and type _powershell_. This action will bring up the PowerShell edition of your preference.
2.  Look for **Windows PowerShell** or just **PowerShell**, if using PowerShell Core, from the search result.
3.  Right-click on the menu item and select **[Run as administrator](https://adamtheautomator.com/powershell-run-as-administrator/ "Run as administrator").**

You can see these steps demonstrated in the screenshot below.

![Runnning PowerShell Using the Search Bar](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/FromSearch-1.png)

Runnning PowerShell Using the Search Bar

## Using a Pinned Menu Item

If you pin a program to the start menu or taskbar, you can also right-click on the menu item there as well. With this method, Windows 10 creates a shortcut for PowerShell that is more accessible to you at the start menu or the taskbar.

To run PowerShell as administrator on a pinned item:

1.  Find the PowerShell icon in the search box again.
2.  Right-click on the PowerShell icon and select Pin to Start or Pin to Taskbar.

![Pinning PowerShell to Start Menu or Taskbar](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/PinPowershell.png)

Pinning PowerShell to Start Menu or Taskbar

3.  Click on the **Start** button
4.  Look for **Windows PowerShell (or PowerShell Core)** on the right side of the Start Menu.
5.  Right-click on the menu item and choose Run as administrator.

![Running PowerShell From The Start Menu](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/PinnedStartRunAdmin-1.png)

Running PowerShell From The Start Menu

## Running PowerShell as Administrator Using File Explorer

Are you in Windows’ File Explorer, you can fire up PowerShell as administrator there too!

### Using the File Explorer File Menu

1.  Open up File Explorer by using _Win Key + E_ shortcut keys or by simply clicking the icon at the taskbar as you can see on the screenshot below.

![Open File Explorer From The Taskbar](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/FE-1.png)

Open File Explorer From The Taskbar

2\. Once in File Explorer, click on File → Open Windows PowerShell → Open Windows PowerShell as administrator as shown below.

![Run PowerShell From File Menu in File Explorer](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/FromFileExplorer-1.png)

Run PowerShell From File Menu in File Explorer

### **Using the PowerShell Executable**

Whether you’re using a 32-bit or 64-bit operating system, you can run PowerShell as administrator from its respective location.

1.  In **File Explorer**, navigate to one of the folders below.
    *   For 32-bit OS: C:\\Windows\\System32\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0
    *   For 64-bit OS_:_ C:\\Windows\\SysWOW64\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0
2.  Find the _powershell.exe_ file.
3.  Right-click on _powershel.exe_ and select Run as Adminstrator.

![Run PowerShell as Administrator From a Folder](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/AdminFileExplorer-1.png)

Run PowerShell as Administrator From a Folder

## Creating a Shortcut for PowerShell on the Desktop

If you’d like an easy way to invoke PowerShell, you can also create a Windows shortcut for it.

1.  Once you’ve got the Create Shortcut [process started](https://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-create-shortcuts/), provide the path to the PowerShell executable. For Windows PowerShell, that path is:

*   For 32-bit OS: C:\\Windows\\SysWOW64\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0\\powershell.exe
*   For 64-bit OS_:_ C:\\Windows\\System32\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0\\powershell.exe

![Proceed Creating The Shortcut](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ShortcutWizard2-1.png)

Proceed Creating The Shortcut

2\. Provide the shortcut a handy name (PowerShell Admin for example).

![Name The Shortcut For PowerShell](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/FinishShortcut-1.png)

Name The Shortcut For PowerShell

3\. Find the shortcut you just created and right-click on it and choose Properties as shown below.

![Accessing PowerShell's Shortcut Properties](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ShortcutProperties-1.png)

Accessing PowerShell’s Shortcut Properties

4\. Click on Shortcut tab and then on the Advanced button and the Advanced Properties window will pop-up.

![PowerShell's Shortcut Properties](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/AdvancedProperties-1.png)

PowerShell’s Shortcut Properties

5\. In the Advanced Properties window, select the Run as administrator checkbox and click OK.

![Set PowerShell to Run as Administrator](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/RunAsAdmin-1.png)

Set PowerShell to Run as Administrator

6\. Back to the Shortcut Properties, click OK to apply the changes and you’re all set.

## Running PowerShell as Administrator Using WinX Menu

Another way to easily access PowerShell is via the **Win-X** menu as shown in the following screenshot. This menu was never given an official name but was widely referred to as Win-X (or power user menu) as the shortcut to access it is _Win Key + X._

Once the menu is up, simply click on Windows PowerShell (Admin) and you’re off to th races.

![Running PowerShell via WinX Menu](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ContextMennu-1.png)

Running PowerShell via WinX Menu

## Using the Run Command Window

The Run Command Window is a powerful tool that lets you run programs without searching for them using the SearchBar, Start Menu or File Explorer. To run PowerShell as administrator via the Run command window:

1.  Press _Win Key + R_. A a small window will pop up as shown in the screenshot below.
2.  Type in _powershell_ and press _Ctrl+Shift+Enter_ or press and hold _Ctrl+Shift._
3.  Click OK to make PowerShell run as administrator.

![Run Command Window](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Run-1.png)

Run Command Window

You’re now running PowerShell as administrator.

## Using Task Manager

Task Manager is a tool that lets you monitor or end a process of the programs and services that are currently running on your computer. You can also use it to execute a task such as running PowerShell as administrator manually.

To run PowerShell as administrator via the task manager:

1.  Open the Task Manager by pressing _Ctrl+Shift+Esc_ keys on your keyboard or as you see in the screenshot below

> _You can alternatively right-click on the Task Bar and select Task Manager to bring up Task Manager._

![Run Task Manager](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/RunTaskManager-1.png)

Run Task Manager

2\. Once Task Manager opens, go up to File and click on Run new task as shown below.

![Run New Task in Task Manager](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/TaskManager2-1.png)

Run New Task in Task Manager

3\. You should then see a window pop up that looks similar to the Run window described earlier.

4\. Type in _powershell_ ensuring you also check the Create this task with administrative privileges checkbox and click OK to make PowerShell run as administrator.

## Running PowerShell as Administrator with the Command Line

If you regularly find yourself on the command line, don’t fret, you can run PowerShell as administrator there too!

> _If you already have cmd. exe open running as adminstrator using the same techniques described in this article, you can simply run start powershell and it will be running as adminstrator._

If you’re running a command prompt not as administrator yet, that’s not a problem. Invoke the Start-Process cmdlet with PowerShell from _cmd. exe_ using the -Verb runas parameter.

```powershell
powershell Start-Process powershell -Verb runAs
```

> _If you’re already in a PowerShell window, you can run Start-Process powershell -Verb runas directly to open a new PowerShell instance running as administrator_

### Creating a Batch File to Run PowerShell as Administrator

So you now know how to invoke PowerShell as administrator from a command prompt. If you already know how to do that, you can create a batch file to automate it!

Open up your favorite text editor, paste in the following line and save the file as _PowerShell as admin.bat_ anywhere you’d like.

```powershell
Powershell.exe -Command "& {Start-Process Powershell.exe -Verb RunAs}"
```

Run the batch file and you’ll notice up comes a PowerShell window running as administrator!

## Creating a Scheduled Task to Run PowerShell as Administrator

**Task Scheduler** is a built-in app on Windows 10 that lets you virtually run automated tasks. Hence, you can also use it to create a task that runs PowerShell as administrator each time you logon to your computer, for example.

Start up the [Create Taskbox](https://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-create-task-basic-task-wizard/) and specify the file to run as one of the below:

*   For 32-bit OS: C:\\Windows\\System32\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0\\powershell.exe
    
*   For 64-bit OS_:_ C:\\Windows\\SysWOW64\\WindowsPowerShell\\v1.0\\powershell.exe
    

In the Create Task windows, provide the values to all of the menu items shown below ensuring the Run with highest privileges checkbox is checked.

![Enable Run with Highest Privileges Option](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/GeneralTab-1.png)

Enable Run with Highest Privileges Option

Now when the scheduled task is invoked, it will execute PowerShell as administrator!

## Further Reading

*   [PowerShell Objects, Properties and Methods](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/scripting/learn/ps101/03-discovering-objects?view=powershell-7)
*   [How to Set Up and Manage Scheduled Tasks with PowerShell](https://adamtheautomator.com/powershell-scheduled-task/)

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