Run as...

When using a limited account in XP Home, is there a way to be able to run the control panel (or individual selections within the control panel) as an administrator on demand much like using a "Run as"? My wife's laptop stays logged on to her limited account, but often we need to add software, remove software, yada, yada, yada, but would prefer not to have to switch user accounts.

 

Server 2k3 has a feature like that. Windows XP does not have anything that I know of that will do what you need. All I can suggest is to use the fast user switchin feature.

 

Not true xp has this feature, i can't seem to find the article that explained how to do this, but try googling for it.

 

cool. I learn something everyday. Quick google found it on the Microsoft website.
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/runas.mspx

this page explains it without the command line. http://vlaurie.com/computers2/Articles/xprunas.htm

 

Easy. right click on the item and choose run as.

 

Thanks for the information. Looks like I have quite a bit of reading to do. Since reading some of your responses, I have found a few more resources for my answer. So far, all of them include using the 'Run...' dialog box. I was hoping to avoid that, but you can't always have it your way I guess.

 

Even though listed for Win2000, this seems to work for control panel selections in XP also.

Starting a Control Panel Tool in Administrative Context While Logged on as a Normal User

While logged on as a normal user:
1.In Windows 2000, click Start, select Settings, Control Panel.
2.Select the particular tool you want to run in administrative context (for example: Add/Remove Hardware).
3.Highlight the selected tool by using a single left-click on the icon.
4.Hold done the Shift key and right-click on the icon. You will notice the Run as... command that appears in the command list.
5.Select the Run as... command. You will be prompted with a dialog box titled, "Run program as other user".
6.Type the administrator account name and password in the appropriate fields. Note: the domain name can also be changed.
7.After entering the credential for the administrator account, click OK and the program associated with the tool will start in the administrative context.

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Yep, if the "Run As" is not there when you Right Click it, then that specific feature not avail.