Windows: Run as Different User

Sometimes it is required to run an application as a different user.

For example, you may want to run an elevated command prompt to execute some commands with administrative privileges.

In Windows, an executable file can be run as a different user from the File Explorer or using the command line.

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Run as Different User

Use one of the two methods below to run an application in Windows as a different user.

Method 1: Shift + Right-Click Context Menu

Hold down the SHIFT key + right-click on the executable file you wish to run as different user and select “Run as different user” from the context menu.

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Method 2: Run as Different User via Command Line

Use the runas command to run an application under a different user account from the Windows command line:

C:\> runas /user:<username> "<path>"

– example –

C:\> runas /user:Administrator "C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe"

After running the above command, you will be asked to enter the password of a user you want to run the application as.

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