Windows Vista introduced UAC, which helps protect your computer by not allowing any program to have administrative rights unless properly granted. In some situations, it may be necessary to run a program as administrator for that program to run or install properly. To run a program as administrator, follow the steps below.

Run a program as Administrator

To run a program as Administrator, granting that program complete access to your computer, follow these steps.

Windows 7 and Windows 8 also include UAC.

You must be logged in to an account with administrative privileges to continue with the following procedures.

  • Right-click the program or shortcut you want to run as administrator and choose the option Run as administrator.
  • Next, click Continue once prompted for your permission.
  • How to change a user account to an administrator account.
  • See the UAC definition for further information and related links.
  • Microsoft Windows help and support.