How to Launch Command Prompt as an Administrator with a Keyboard Shortcut Keys

Applies to Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and Windows 10.

While many Command Prompt tasks can be accomplished without any special privileges, some tasks require that the user grant the app elevated privileges by launching it is an administrator. If you frequently open Command Prompt as a Administrator from right-click context menu, you can save some time with this handy keyboard shortcut keys in Windows.

To launch Command Prompt as an administrator in Windows, first head to the Start Screen or Start Menu and begin typing cmd to bring up the Command Prompt in the Windows search bar.

How to Launch Command Prompt as an Administrator with a Keyboard Shortcut Keys WbuzlCI

Normally, you would launch Command Prompt as an administrator by right-clicking on it in the search results and selecting Run as Administrator.

But for the fastest experience, highlight the Command Prompt result in the Windows search bar and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys. Doing so will automatically launch Command Prompt with elevated administrative privileges, and you’ll see the User Account Control (UAC) prompt appear immediately as a result.

How to Launch Command Prompt as an Administrator with a Keyboard Shortcut Keys ZaHX4yy

While our example in this tip deals exclusively with Command Prompt, you can also use this same keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + Shift + Enter) keys to quickly launch any other application that requires admin privileges.