Windows 7 - Elevated Command Prompt Shortcut

**Brink**

How to Create a Elevated Command Prompt Shortcut in Windows 7

Information

This will show you how to create a shortcut that will open a elevated command prompt that with administrator rights in Windows 7.

Note

When you use the Elevated Command Prompt shortcut, you may be prompted to click on Yes or enter the administrator account's password depending on your UAC settings.

Warning

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to use this shortcut.

EXAMPLE: Elevated Command Prompt
NOTE: Notice how the elevated command prompt opens to C:\Windows\System32 and not C:\Users\(user name) as the default command prompt without administrator rights.

OPTION ONE

Download the Shortcut

1. Click on the Download button below to download the
Elevated_Command_Prompt.zip file.

2. Click on Save and save it to the desktop.

3. Right click on the zip file and click on Open.

4. Extract the Elevated Command Prompt shortcut to the desktop.

5. Right click on the Elevated Command Prompt shortcut and click on Properties.

6. Under the General tab, click on the Unblock button and on OK. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If there is not a Unblock button there, then the shortcut is already unblocked. Continue on to step 7.

7. Move the shortcut to where you like for easy use.

8. When done, you can delete the zip file if you wanted to.

OPTION TWO

Manually Create the Shortcut

1. Right click on a empty space on the desktop and click on New and Shortcut. (See screenshot below)

2. Type in the location C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe and click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)

3. Type in the name Elevated Command Prompt and click on the Finish button. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You can type in any name that you would like to use for the shortcut though.

4. Right click on the new Elevated Command Prompt shortcut on the desktop and click on Properties.

5. Under the Shortcut tab, click on the Advanced button. (See screenshot below).

6. Check the Run as administrator box and click on OK. (See screenshot below)

7. Click on OK. (See screenshot below step 5)

8. Move the shortcut to where you like for easy use.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

jychan28 · 09-25-2009

It does not work!

**Brink** · 09-25-2009

Hello Jychan,

I'm not certain by what you mean. What part does not work? Are you doing this while logged on to a administrator account?

**goyta** · 11-14-2009

There is an easier way: I copied cmd.exe to the same folder (System32) as cmd2.exe. In the "Compatibility" tab, I set it to run as Administrator for all users. Then I created a desktop shortcut for it and that was all.

**Brink** · 11-14-2009

Hello Goyta,

I'm not sure if that would be easier or not. Plus, that file would not be updated by Windows Update if one became available for it. I'm happy that it works for you though.

**goyta** · 11-14-2009

Quote: Originally Posted by Brink

Hello Goyta,

I'm not sure if that would be easier or not. Plus, that file would not be updated by Windows Update if one became available for it. I'm happy that it works for you though.

It was just the idea that occurred to me at the time, and it certainly works. But you are right about the Windows Update issue, and I will resort to the method suggested here. Thanks for posting it!

**Brink** · 11-14-2009

You're most welcome Goyta.

Nelly · 05-28-2010

Hello All,
I tried this and it worked but now it gives the message "Access is denied"
A little help needed please.
Nelly

**Brink** · 05-28-2010

Hello Nelly,

Are you logged in as an administrator when using this shortcut?

Nelly · 05-28-2010

Hello Brink,
Yes I believe so. I checked my user account and it has "Administrator" underneath my user name.
Thanks for the quick reply.