Run as Different User

How to Run Program as a Different User in Windows 7 and Windows 8​

   Information

This will show you how to run a program as if it was running from a different user account on your computer while you are still logged on to your user account in Windows 7 and Windows 8.

   Note

This will only affect this instance of the program running, so you can open multiple instances of this progam as a different user per instance. Closing the program will end that program's instance running for that user.

   Warning

• The user account that you want to run the program as must be password protected.
• The Secondary Logon service needs to be set to Manual and not be disabled. By default, it is set to Manual unless changed.

OPTION ONE

To "Run as different user" using Context Menu

1. Press and hold the Shift key and right click on the program's shortcut or BAT, CMD, EXE, MSC, or MSI file, then click/tap on Run as different user. (See screenshot below)

2. Type in the user name and password of the user account that you want to run this program as. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If the user account is on a domain, then you would use UserName@Domain or Domain\UserName for the user name instead.

3. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.

4. The program will now be running as that user.

5. When done, simply close the program to stop it from running as that user.

OPTION TWO

To "Run as different user" from Start Application Bar

NOTE: This option is only for Windows 8.
1. For how, see: How to Add or Remove "Run as Different User" from Context Menu in Windows 7 and Windows 8

OPTION THREE

To "Run as different user" using RUNAS Command in Command Prompt

1. Open a command prompt.

2. In the command prompt, type the command below, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You would substitute USER-NAME in the command with the actual name of the user account that you want to run the program as. If the user account is on a domain, then you would use UserName@Domain or Domain\UserName for the user name instead.
runas /user:USER-NAME "C:\full\path\of\Program.exe"

For example, if I wanted to run Notepad as the test user, I would type this command below.

runas /user:test "C:\Windows\system32\notepad.exe"


3. Type in the password of the user account that you want to run this program as. (see screenshot above)

4. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.

5. The program will now be running as that user.

6. When done, simply close the program to stop it from running as that user.

   Tip

To Create a RunAs Shortcut for the Program

• http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...r-shortcut-create-specified-program-user.html

OR

• Open Notepad.
• Type the command from step 2 above in Notepad.
• Click on File (menu bar) and Save as in Notepad.
• Navigate to your desktop.
• Type in name-you-want.bat, and click on the Save button.

You will now be able to just run this shortcut or .bat file to have the program runas the user you want.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to See What User Name a Program is Running as in Windows 7
• How to See What User Name a Program is Running as in Windows 8
• How to Run a Program as an Administrator in Windows 7
• How to Run a Program as an Administrator in Windows 8
• Add "Run in Separate Memory Space" to Windows 7 Run Command
• How to Add or Remove "Run as Different User" from Context Menu in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Use "Run as different user" Context Menu Item With or Without Shift+Right Click
• How to Create a Shortcut to Run a Program as a Specified User
• How to Create an Elevated Program Shortcut a Standard User is able to Run in Windows
• How to Add or Remove "Run as different user" on "Start" Application Bar in Windows 8

 

[stev8888]

Thanks for the quick response, I created a different user name and log in as ID: illusion and password, doesn't help

 

[Brink]

Stev,

What are you typing in the "User Name" field?

For example, if the user name is illusion, then you would type either below. Just substitute Domain with the actual name of the domain computer (ex: SEV-PC).

illusion@Domain

OR

Domain\illusion

 

[anujagrawal4]

Hello,

I have a question : Suppose my computer is on Domain D1. There is also another domain D2 which i used to connect through VPN. Now after connecting VPN, i am following below steps :

1. I am trying to execute a Application by Run as User (Shift+Right Mouse button).
2. I am entering D2\Username & password.

I am getting error "Logon failure : Unknown User name or bad password".

However using same credentials (D2\username & password), i can successfully RDP the machine on domain D2. Moreover this account is member of Admin group on D2 domain.

Can you please suggest?

 

[Brink]

Hello anujagrawal, and welcome to Seven Forums.

You might see if you may be able to log in using username@D2, then the password may work instead.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Sakina]

Ok can anyone help me how to run as different user this link
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Gameforge\NCLauncher\NCLauncher.exe" /LauncherID:"GameForge" /CompanyID:"11" /GameID:"AION-LIVE" /LUpdateAddr:"update.aion.gfsrv.net"
With all these quotation marks runas.exe cant accept the parameters.

 

[Brink]

Hello Sakina,

I have no idea if this will work, but you might try this instead with one more set of quotes wrapped around the whole thing.

""C:\Program Files (x86)\Gameforge\NCLauncher\NCLauncher.exe" /LauncherID:"GameForge" /CompanyID:"11" /GameID:"AION-LIVE" /LUpdateAddr:"update.aion.gfsrv.net""

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Sakina]

Hello Sakina,

I have no idea if this will work, but you might try this instead with one more set of quotes wrapped around the whole thing.

""C:\Program Files (x86)\Gameforge\NCLauncher\NCLauncher.exe /LauncherID:"GameForge" /CompanyID:"11" /GameID:"AION-LIVE" /LUpdateAddr:"update.aion.gfsrv.net""

Hope this helps,
Shawn

It doesn't works. Normaly

runas /user:games "C:\Program Files (x86)\Gameforge\NCLauncher\NCLauncher.exe  /LauncherID:"GameForge" /CompanyID:"11" /GameID:"AION-LIVE"  /LUpdateAddr:"update.aion.gfsrv.net""

should work, if there was no stupid quotation marks in the parameters

 

[avinashrawat]

Hello Guys! While I am Firing following Command
runas /user:user name "C:\Windows\system32\notepad.exe" then this prompt me a password while no any password set for system. i am sole user of my System mean i am admin of system. if i leave blank password and press enter then following message shown

RUNAS ERROR: Unable to run - C:\windows\System32\notepad.exe
1327: Logon failure: user account restriction. Possible reasons are blank passwords not allowed, logon hour restrictions, or a policy restriction has been enforced.

 

[Brink]

Hello avinashrawat,

Unfortunately, the user account you want to "run as" must have a password to be able to use it.

 

[avinashrawat]

@Brink
which password apply by me for open user account. i never set password for any user account.

 

[Brink]

"Run as" requires a password credential to work.

 

[Billd59]

I am trying to write a batch file. I want to run the batch file as Administrator. I know I can put "runas /userUserNameHere) CMD.exe" In the batch file but It ask me to put the Administrator password In. Is there anyway I can put the password In the batch file too? I am writing the batch file for someone else and don't want to give them the batch file.

 

[Brink]

Hello Bill,

If you like, users could just right click on the .bat file, and click on "Run as administrator" to do so.

Hope this helps some,
Shawn

 

[Billd59]

run as Administrator

I can't put this In a batch file? I would like to make It as easy as I can since I am making this for someone else. I know I can do "runas" but that ask for password and I don't know how to add the password to the batch file.

 

[Brink]

How is the batch file going to be used?

Would you be able to do what you are wanting to do in the .bat file with a .vbs script file instead? I have a method that will have the .vbs prompt with UAC to elevate using a script.

If you have a password included in the batch, then it will only work on the computer that has the account and password you used for the batch.

 

[Billd59]

How is the batch file going to be used?

Would you be able to do what you are wanting to do in the .bat file with a .vbs script file instead? I have a method that will have the .vbs prompt with UAC to elevate using a script.

If you have a password included in the batch, then it will only work on the computer that has the account and password you used for the batch.

'I am helping my Sister-In-Law with her computer. She can't change her password from her user account. I don't want to give her the Administrator password. I was thinking of writing a batch file for her to change her account With the runas Administrator and password than make It a executable so she can just click and run It. I have the batch file writing already. She does just learning computers. This Is her first computer. I am just learning batch file and vbscipt. It should just be run on her computer not on on any other computer.

 

[Brink]

Bill,

This may be able to work for what you are wanting.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/193743-elevated-program-shortcut-create-standard-user.html

 

[Zloduh]

Hi Brink
is it possible to create a context menu option example "run with elevated permissions" where it would automatically insert my administrator user and pass.
We all switched to standard user in my company but we in IT have domain admin accounts that we use when prompted and it would make it easier if i could automate it with a script than make a batch file for every app i need.

 

[Brink]

Hello Zloduh,

It's a good idea, but the only problem I see with using a context menu like that is it would be available for all users to use to "Run as administrator" with your account.

 

[Zloduh]

Yes but in my case no one uses my pc but me.
I will have to look if it is even possible to script around this security measure.
Thx for reply Brink its ancient topic.