How to Run a Windows Shortcut as Administrator Without Asking for a Password

 In this post, I will show you how to run  a Windows shortcut as administrator without asking for password.

Sometimes, you may need to run a specific application with administrative privileges but want to avoid entering the administrator password each time. Here’s a simple way to do it using the "runas" command.

Creating a New Shortcut

If you want to create a new shortcut that runs a program as an administrator without asking for a password, follow these steps:

1. Create the Shortcut:
   
   • Right-click on your desktop and select "New > Shortcut".
   • In the location field, paste the following command, replacing the placeholders with your specific details:
     

     runas.exe /user:domain\administrator /savecred "cmd /C """C:\MyApplication_Path\MyApplication.exe"""{codeBox}

   • Replace "domain\administrator" with your actual domain and administrator username.
   • Update "C:\MyApplication_Path\MyApplication.exe" with the path to the executable file of the application you want to run.
2. Name the Shortcut:
   
   • Click "Next" and give your shortcut a name.
3. Run the Shortcut:
   
   • When you run the shortcut for the first time, you will be prompted to enter the administrator password.
   • The credentials will be saved, so you won’t need to enter the password again in the future.

Editing an Existing Shortcut

If you already have a shortcut and want to modify it to run with administrative privileges without prompting for a password:

1. Locate the Shortcut:
   
   • Find the existing shortcut on your desktop or in the Start menu.
2. Right-Click and Edit:
   
   • Right-click the shortcut and select "Properties".
   • In the Target field, replace the current path with the "runas" command:
     

     runas.exe /user:domain\administrator /savecred "cmd /C """C:\MyApplication_Path\MyApplication.exe"""{codeBox}

   • Again, make sure to replace "domain\administrator" with your domain and username, and update the application path.
3. Apply and Save:
   
   • Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes.
4. First-Time Run:
   
• When you run the shortcut after editing, enter the administrator password once. Future launches won’t require the password.

Be cautious when using the "/savecred" switch, as it stores the credentials on the machine. Ensure this method is used in a secure environment.{alertWarning}