Tech Tips

Run-As Command

Question: How can I run a program as a different user?

Answer: The safest way to use Windows XP / 2000 is to login as a normal user for your day-to-day computing, and use the Run As command when you need administrative privileges. To do that, simply locate the program that you wish to run as another user, click your right mouse button on its icon, then click the words "Run As" in the window that appears. In the "Run As" window that appears, click the check box beside the words "The following user:", type in your Administrator password, and click the "Ok" button.

The Run As command will not work with everything, however - some exceptions include the Windows Explorer and many items in the Control Panel. You can get around this limitation by using the Run As command on Internet Explorer and typing your destination into the address bar (where you would normally type website addresses). For example, to view the My Computer window, you would type "My Computer" in the address bar and press the Enter key; to get to the Control Panel, you would type "Control Panel" in the address bar and press Enter. This allows you to access restricted files and/or change system settings without having to actually log on as Administrator.

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