6 Ways to Run PowerShell as Administrator in Windows 11

Quick Tips

• Utilize the search bar. Hit the Windows key + S > type PowerShell > right-click the result > select Run as administrator.
• Press Win + R > type powershell > hold Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch with admin rights.
• Need another way? Press the Windows key + X and select Terminal (Admin).

Method 1. Using Windows Search

Step 1: Press the Windows key and type PowerShell in the search box.

Step 2: Click on Run as Administrator from the right pane.

Step 3: You will get a UAC prompt asking for your consent; click Yes.

That’s it. The PowerShell will open as administrator. If you don’t want to use the Windows Search feature to find and open PowerShell, you can do the same with the help of the Windows context menu. Keep reading.

Method 2. Using WinX

Step 1: Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard.

Step 2: From the context menu, select Terminal (Admin).

Step 3: In the UAC prompt, click Yes.

There you go. You have launched PowerShell in administrator mode. If you landed on some Command Prompt or in any other terminal, click on the Chevron (arrow) icon at the top and select PowerShell.

Method 3. From Start Menu

We will be using Windows Tools to execute this method.

Step 1: Press the Windows key on your keyboard > click on All apps.

Step 2: Scroll down and click on Windows Tools.

Step 3: In the Windows Tools window, scroll down and right-click on Windows PowerShell.

Step 4: From the context menu, select Run as administrator.

Step 5: In the prompt, click Yes.

There you go. You can now work on PowerShell with administrator privileges. If you want to know another way, jump to the next method. 

Method 4. Using Task Manager

Step 1: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Task Manager.

Step 2: Click on the Run new task button. It will open a Create new task dialog box.

Step 3: Type PowerShell in the text field > check the box for Create this task with administrative privileges > click OK.

There you have it. It will open PowerShell with administrative privileges without any complications.

Method 5. Using the Run Command Box

Step 1: Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. 

Step 2: Type PowerShell > click OK. This will open Windows PowerShell with the rights of the current user. 

Step 3: To switch from normal (current user) mode to administrator mode, type the below command and press Enter.

Start-Process powershell -Verb runAs

Step 4: In the UAC prompt, click Yes.

Method 6. Using CMD

Step 1: Press the Windows key > type Command Prompt > click Run as administrator. In the prompt, click Yes.

Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, type PowerShell > press Enter.

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