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Before this, we have written a number of guides on taking ownership of files and running programs as an administrator. Recently, while moderating comments, I noticed that there are plenty of users out there who would like to run Control Panel as administrator.
To start with, Windows doesn’t let you run Control Panel as administrator. This is because, in Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 7, you gain nothing by launching Control Panel as administrator. That is, in short, the Control Panel is just a simple way to access all tools and options available in Windows. In other words, it includes only shortcuts to programs and administrator tools such as Programs and Features and Folder Options.
That said, there is a workaround to open Control Panel as administrator in Windows 7, Windows 10, and Windows 11 if you really want to open Control Panel as admin. All you need to do is simply create a shortcut to the Control Panel on your desktop and then configure Windows to launch the shortcut as administrator.
Method 1 of 2
Step 1: Launch the Run command prompt using the Windows logo + R keyboard shortcut or using search.
Step 2: In the Run command box, type Control and then simultaneously press Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys.
Step 3: When you see the User Account Control prompt, click the Yes button to open the Control Panel as an administrator.
Method 2 of 2
Open Control Panel as an administrator in Windows 10/11
Here is how to open the Control Panel with admin privileges in Windows 7, Windows 10, and Windows 11.
Step 1: Right-click on the desktop, click New, and then click Shortcut to open the Create Shortcut wizard.
Step 2: In the Type the location of the item box, paste the following path:
C:\Windows\System32\control.exe
Please replace “C” with the drive letter of the partition where Windows is installed.
Click Next.
Step 3: Enter a name for the new Shortcut. We recommend you name it Admin Control Panel so that you can easily recognize it.
Click the Finish button to create a shortcut to the Control Panel on the desktop.
Step 4: You can now right-click on the shortcut and then click the Run as administrator option to open the Control Panel with admin rights. If you want to open the Control Panel with admin rights by simply double-clicking on it, please follow the next three steps in order to configure the shortcut to always launch as administrator.
Step 5: Now, right-click on the Control Panel shortcut on the desktop and click Properties to open the Properties dialog.
Step 6: Switch to the Shortcut tab and then click the Advanced button to open the Advanced Properties dialog.
Step 7: Finally, check the option labeled Run as administrator option, click OK, and then click the Apply button. That’s it!
You can now double-click on the Control Panel shortcut on the desktop to launch Control Panel as administrator. But, as said before, there is nothing you can do by running Control Panel as administrator. Good luck!
When using Windows 10 as a power user, having administrative privileges is essential. Otherwise, you will be constantly blocked from making changes to certain settings and from accessing other resources. Well, the privileges and roles approach on Windows 10 is a complex issue, and should be outlined in a separate article. You can read about privileges and roles in Windows 10 here.
You may need administrative rights to fully benefit from the settings and configurations offered through the Control Panel. This option is only applicable to users who aren’t already members of the Administrator group.
This article explains two different methods of accessing the Control Panel as an administrator. Before proceeding, make sure you are using a standard or Power User account.
Table of Contents
Two Ways to Open the Control Panel as an Administrator In Windows 10
Run Control Panel as administrator using shortcut
A decent way to launch the Control Panel with administrative privileges is by creating a dedicated shortcut to always run as admin. Follow the guide below to do so.
Right-click the blank space on your desktop, expand New, and then select Shortcut. In the Create Shortcut window, paste the following path for the Control Panel into the text field, and then click Next:
C:\Windows\System32\control.exe
On the next page, enter the name for the shortcut and click Finish.
The task is not over yet. The shortcut has been created, but you now need to set it to always run with administrative privileges. Right-click the shortcut and click Properties from the context menu.
In the Properties window, switch to the Shortcut tab and then click Advanced.
In Advanced Properties, check the box next to Run as administrator and then click Ok. You can now close all properties windows by clicking Apply and Ok.
You can now simply run the newly-created Control Panel shortcut and it will run with administrative rights. Any configurations that you were previously unable to do can now be done with the privileges required.
You may experience a User Access Control (UAC) prompt when running the Control Panel with administrative rights – click Yes.
Run Control Panel as administrator using command line
This is another way to launch the Control Panel as an administrator. We would like to point out a key difference with this method: you will launch it not simply with administrative privileges, but as the Windows built-in Administrator account as well.
This will be done using a “Run as” cmdlet in the Command Prompt that allows you to run certain programs and applications as another user account.
Note that the local Administrator account will need to be enabled for this scenario and you will need to acquire its password for authentication. You can use the guide provided to enable the built-in Administrator account in Windows 10.
To do this, open the Command Prompt. Running the Command Prompt as an administrator is not required. Now modify the following command by replacing ComputerName with the name of your computer and then copy it into Command Prompt.
runas /user:ComputerName\Administrator "Control.exe"
You will then be asked to provide the credentials for the built-in Administrator account. Type those in. Note that it may seem that the password is not being typed in the command line, but it will be. Here is an example of the command that we used to run the Control Panel as Administrator:
In the image above, an arrow indicates the place where the password for the local administrator account was entered, and the Enter key button was pressed. Thus far, no output has been displayed on the command line.
After entering the above-command, the Control Panel will launch with administrative rights.
How to check if user account has administrative privileges
Make sure that your account is not already a member of the Administrator group on your computer. If so, launching the Control Panel with explicit administrative rights will do no good. If you have a standard account, it may be worthwhile launching it as administrator and making the changes required.
Follow the guide below to confirm which group(s) your user account belongs to:
Open Run by pressing the Windows Key + R shortcut keys simultaneously and then type in compmgmt.msc to launch the Computer Management console.
In the console, expand Local users and groups from the left pane, click Users, and then double-click the user account in the right pane you want to check the privileges of.
The properties window will not popup. Switch to the Members tab. There, you will a list of the groups your account is a member of. If “Administrators” is not listed there, it means your current account does not have the required privileges.
Therefore, you can now proceed to launch the Control Panel with explicit administrative privileges.
Closing words
Windows 10 users can open the Control Panel with administrative rights, but this might not be very beneficial if your company’s administrative staff are managing the Group Policies. If this is the case, you may still be unable to perform the configuration with administrative privileges.
Microsoft is working around the clock to replace the Control Panel and shift all configurations to the Settings app. Thus, it is possible that the Control Panel could be obsolete in the near future.
As an administrator, we often open an elevated Command Prompt to perform administrative tasks on Windows 10/8/7. Windows 10/8/7 also allows you to run Control Panel as an administrator; however, it does not have a direct way to do so. Apart from shortcuts to programs and administrator tools like Programs & Features and Folder Options, there is nothing else in Control Panel. Due to the fact that the Control Panel contains links to various built-in Microsoft Windows programs, Microsoft does not provide a direct way to run the Control Panel as an administrator.
If you perform administrative tasks through Control Panel by signing in to Windows, you might want to run it as an administrator.
You can create a shortcut on your desktop and configure it to open the Control Panel as administrator if you want.
How to run Control Panel as Administrator in Windows 10/8/7?
To open the Control Panel with elevated privilege in Windows 10, 8, or Win 7, perform the below-mentioned steps:-
Step 1. Right-click on the free space on the desktop, select New and then click Shortcut to open the Create Shortcut wizard.
Step 2. In the “Type the location of the item” box, type the following path:-
%windir%\System32\control.exe
Step 3. Click the Next button.
Step 4. In the box “Type a name for this shortcut,” type a proper name such as “Administrative Control Panel.”
Step 5. Click the Finish button.
Once you complete the above steps, you will see a shortcut icon of the Control Panel on the desktop with the name you typed in step 4 above. For my example, we have created a desktop shortcut for Control Panel named “Administrative Control Panel.”
Step 6. Perform a right-click on the Control Panel shortcut and select “Run as administrator” to open the Control Panel with administrative privilege.
Step 7. If you want to open the Control Panel with admin rights by just double-clicking on it, then right-click on its shortcut icon and select the Properties option from the drop-down menu.
Step 8. In the Properties dialog box, switch to the Shortcut tab.
Step 9. Click the Advanced button to open the “Advanced Properties” dialog.
Step 10. Check the option labeled Run as administrator in the “Advanced Properties” dialog box.
Step 11. Click OK.
Step 12. Click Apply.
Step 13. Click OK.
That’s it!
Conclusion
In conclusion, as an administrator, it is common to perform tasks through an elevated Command Prompt or Control Panel on Windows 10/8/7. However, running the Control Panel as an administrator is not a direct process. This article provided step-by-step instructions to create a desktop shortcut to open the Control Panel as an administrator. By following these steps, users can easily access the Control Panel with elevated privileges and perform administrative tasks efficiently. This method can save time and streamline the process of accessing Control Panel tools for administrators.
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Have you ever wanted to run the Control Panel as an administrator on Windows? Doing so can give you access to certain configuration options that would otherwise be unavailable. This article will show you how to quickly and easily open the Control Panel with administrative privileges in any Windows version. Let’s get started.
1. How to open the Control Panel as an Administrator through Run Command
The Control Panel is a powerful tool for managing Windows settings and making changes to your computer. However, if you intend to use it with administrator privileges, the Run dialog box is the way to go. This is how you do it.
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Right-click on Start and select Run or press Win + I on your keyboard. The Run dialog box will open.
- Type control or control panel in the search box and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
- If User Account Control (UAC) pops up on your screen, click Yes to allow access.
This will open up the Control Panel with elevated privileges so that you can make changes effectively and safely. And while we’re at it, did you know there are many ways to open the Control Panel on Windows?
2. How to Open the Control Panel as an Administrator With a Desktop Shortcut
If you’re looking for a faster way to launch it instead of using the Run dialog box, then creating a desktop shortcut can be an effective solution. Here’s a quick hack to help you create quick access points.
- Right-click on your desktop and select New > Shortcut.
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In the next step, you will be asked to give the shortcut’s location. So, type the following path in the text box and click Next.
C:\WINDOWS\system32\control.exe
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You now need to name your shortcut (Control Panel) and click Finish. Once you’ve created the shortcut, it will be placed on your desktop.
- Next, right-click on the shortcut and select Properties.
- On the Shortcut tab, click on Advanced.
- Check the Run as administrator box and click OK.
- Also, click Apply > OK in the Properties window.
Now, whenever you need to access an elevated Control Panel, simply double-click on it.
Get the Most Out of Elevated Control Panel
It is quite easy to run the Control Panel, but some tasks may require elevated access. Here are two methods of opening the Control Panel as an administrator. Check them out and tell us which you find more helpful.
Running the Control Panel as an Administrator is essential for executing tasks that require elevated privileges, such as modifying system settings or managing user accounts. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide on how to perform this action in a Windows environment. Here, you will find detailed steps and methods to ensure that you can access the Control Panel with administrative rights effectively.
Utilizing the Run Command
One of the simplest methods to access the Control Panel as an Administrator is by using the Run dialog. Follow these steps:
-
Open the Run Dialog: Press the
Windows key + Ron your keyboard. This combination opens the Run dialog box. -
Enter the Control Panel Command: Type
control panelin the input field. -
Execute with Administrative Privileges: Instead of simply hitting Enter, press
Ctrl + Shift + Enter. This command prompts the application to run with administrative privileges. - UAC Prompt: If User Account Control (UAC) is turned on, a prompt will appear asking for permission. Click «Yes» to continue.
After completing these steps, the Control Panel should open with elevated permissions, allowing you to manage your system settings freely.
Creating a Desktop Shortcut
If accessing the Control Panel as an Administrator frequently is part of your routine, creating a desktop shortcut may be more efficient. Here’s how to do it:
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Create the Shortcut: Right-click on your desktop and select
New > Shortcut. -
Shortcut Location: In the location field, type in the following command:
%windir%\System32\control.exe -
Naming the Shortcut: Click
Next, then give your shortcut a name, such as «Control Panel Admin,» and clickFinish. -
Set Shortcut Properties: Right-click on the newly created shortcut, select
Properties, and then click theShortcuttab. -
Advanced Options: Click on the
Advancedbutton and check the box labeledRun as administrator. - Apply and Close: Click
OK, thenApply, and finally close the properties window.
Now, whenever you use this shortcut, the Control Panel will launch with administrator privileges after clicking “Yes” on the UAC prompt.
Accessing through Command Prompt
The Command Prompt also provides a way to start the Control Panel with administrative rights. Here are the steps to follow:
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Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Click on the Start menu, type
cmd, right-click on the Command Prompt from the search results, and chooseRun as administrator. -
Enter the Command: In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press
Enter:control panel - UAC Prompt: If UAC settings require it, approve the prompt that appears.
This method is particularly useful for users who rely heavily on command-line interfaces.
Shortcut Key for Quick Access
Creating a shortcut key can help in quickly accessing the Control Panel with administrative privileges. This is how you can set it up:
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Follow the Shortcut Creation Steps Above: Create a desktop shortcut for the Control Panel as described previously.
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Shortcut Key Assignment: Right-click on the shortcut, select
Properties, and go to theShortcuttab. -
Assign a Shortcut Key: Click in the ‘Shortcut key’ box and press the key combination you wish to use (e.g.,
Ctrl + Alt + C). - Apply Changes: Click
ApplyandOKto save your settings.
Now, you can use your designated keyboard shortcut to run the Control Panel as an Administrator.
How Do I Run Control Panel As Administrator
Here are the key methods demonstrated in this article:
- Run Command with Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
- Desktop Shortcut with elevated privileges.
- Command Prompt opened as Administrator.
- Shortcut Key Assignment for quick access.
Each of these methods will allow you to run the Control Panel with administrative rights, facilitating better system management.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do I need to run the Control Panel as an Administrator?
Running the Control Panel as an Administrator allows you to make changes to the system settings that would otherwise be restricted due to access controls. Certain actions, such as modifying user accounts or installing software, require elevated permissions.
2. What should I do if I am unable to run the Control Panel as an Administrator?
If you encounter issues, check if your user account is an Administrator account. You can do this by going to Settings > Accounts > Your Info. If you are using a standard account, you might need to switch to an Administrator account or obtain administrative rights from your system administrator.
3. Can I disable User Account Control (UAC) to avoid prompts?
Yes, you can disable UAC through the Control Panel or the Settings app, but it is generally not recommended due to security risks. Adjusting UAC settings can expose your system to potential threats. Always exercise caution and ensure you understand the implications before making such changes.
About the author
Raj Singh is an expert in operating systems such as Android, Ms Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and more. He simplifies complex system management tasks, offering guidance on optimizing and troubleshooting these platforms. With a focus on efficiency and customization, Raj helps individuals and businesses make the most of their operating environments. His technical expertise extends to creating tailored solutions for diverse needs, ensuring seamless operations and problem-solving across various platforms. Passionate about technology and innovation, Raj is dedicated to helping users unlock the full potential of their systems.