I'm using a Windows 11 PC. Recently, when I turn it on and open Command Prompt normally—without selecting "Run as administrator"—the window looks like it has administrator permissions. I'm not sure whether this is a new Windows feature or if something changed on my computer. How can I tell whether the window is actually running with elevated privileges?
2 Answers
A normal Command Prompt and an administrator Command Prompt can look nearly identical. The appearance of the window alone doesn’t prove that it has elevated permissions. Check the title bar: an elevated window usually says “Administrator: Command Prompt.” You can also run a command such as `net session`; if it reports that access is denied, the window is not elevated.
To intentionally open an elevated window, search for Command Prompt or PowerShell, right-click it, and select “Run as administrator.” Windows will normally display a User Account Control prompt. Without that prompt and approval, a regular shortcut generally runs with your standard user permissions.
You can also hold Ctrl and Shift while clicking the program shortcut to request an elevated launch, though Windows should still ask for confirmation through User Account Control.
My concern is that the computer started behaving differently, and Command Prompt began opening with an administrator-like appearance even though I didn’t choose that option. I’ll check the title bar and test its permissions.