Learn how to create a shortcut that starts a software package with elevated rights without the user account control (UAC) boxes that normally appear.
Overall, I like Vista, but I wish UAC were a little less annoying at times.
For instance: Let’s say I need to run a command from the command prompt with the command prompt in elevated mode. I have to right-click the command prompt shortcut and select run as administrator and then click OK on a UAC popup to run the command prompt with elevated privileges. That’s not a big deal, but if you do it over and over again it gets a little annoying
This guide shows you how to create a shortcut that will open any program or script with elevated rights (administrative rights) automatically without any UAC prompts or changing of any UAC settings. The process of creating one of these shortcuts is a little tedious and time consuming, but it’s a time saver in the long run.
In this example, I’m going to create a shortcut that opens the command prompt with elevated privileges and bypass the UAC security prompt at the same time. You could create a shortcut to any program or script that opens with administrative privileges.
Create a Task
First, we need to create a task in the Task Scheduler that opens the command prompt with elevated privileges.
Note: You’ll need follow these directions with a user account that has administrative privileges (you can install software).
- Open the Task Scheduler by going to the Start Orb, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and open Task Scheduler.
- Click Create Task on the top right of the Task Scheduler window.
- Give the task a name in the Name box in the Create Task window.
Take note of this name. You’ll need it later.
- Check off Run with highest privileges.
- Click New in the Actions tab of the Create Task window.
- Browse to the location of the command prompt softare (C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe) in the Program/script box and then click OK.
- Click OK in the Create Task window and then close the Task Scheduler.
Create a Shortcut
Next, we need to create a shortcut that will run the task we just created.
- Right-click an empty space on your desktop, point at New, and then select Shortcut.
- Type C:\Windows\System32\schtasks.exe /run /tn “Elevated CMD” in the location box and then click Next.
- Give the shortcut a name and then click Finish.
You’re done! Open the shortcut you just created and you’ll have an elevated command prompt.
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