Windows IT Pro is the authoritative and independent resource for windows nt, windows 2000, windows 2003, windows xp. Features a collection of resources and magazines for windows IT professionals.
  
  
  Advanced Search 


September 07, 2005

How can I run a Control Panel applet or snap-in configuration as another user from the command line?

RSS
Subscribe to Windows IT Pro | See More Configuration Articles Here | Reprints | Or get the Monthly Online Pass—only $5.95 a month!

A. Normal best practice for administrators is to log on under a user account and, as needed, use Runas or Winternals' Psexec utility (which you can download at http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/PsExec.html) to run programs with Administrator privileges. However, you can't use this method to run some items (e.g., .cpl and .msc files). To work around this limitation, you can use the Psexec utility and call the file by adding a "cmd /c start" prefix to the command. For example, the following code will fail to run the System Control Panel applet:

C:\WINDOWS>psexec -d -i -e -u Administrator sysdm.cpl
 

However, if you add "cmd /c start" to the command, as the following example shows, the command will run the applet.

C:\WINDOWS>psexec -d -i -e -u Administrator cmd /c start sysdm.cpl

You could include such commands in batch files and place the files on your desktop/menus for fast access to the applications within the correct user context.

End of Article



Reader Comments

You must log on before posting a comment.

If you don't have a username & password, please register now.




Top Viewed ArticlesView all articles
No Jobs, No Excitement at Apple's Last Macworld Keynote

Apple CEO Steve Jobs made the right move in skipping out on his company's last appearance at Macworld: In a Tuesday keynote address at the conference, Apple had no interesting new products to sell, opting instead to spend mind-numbing amounts of time on ...

Where is Microsoft NetMeeting in Windows XP?

...

Command Prompt Tricks

One reader shares his tip for setting up the command prompt to reflect a remote path. ...


Windows OSs Whitepapers Why SaaS is the Right Solution for Log Management

Related Events Virtualization Forum: Optimizing Storage, Networks, Desktops, and Security

Cloud Computing Forum: Integrating Software, Server and Storage as a Service into Your Enterprise IT Delivery Model

Virtualization Forum: Optimizing Storage, Networks, Desktops, and Security

Check out our list of Free Email Newsletters!

Windows OSs eBooks Understanding and Leveraging Code Signing Technologies

A Guide to Windows Certification and Public Keys

SQL Server Administration for Oracle DBAs

Related Windows OSs Resources Become a VIP member of the Windows IT Pro community!
Get it all with the VIP CD and VIP access. A $500+ value for only $279!

Subscribe to Windows IT Pro!
Solve your toughest technical problems with our experts and access 10,000 + articles online. 30% off

Monthly Online Pass - Only $5.95!
Get instant access to 10,000+ articles from Windows IT Pro Magazine!

TechNet Virtual Labs
Evaluate and test Microsoft's newest products.


Windows IT Pro Home Register FAQ for Windows WinInfo News
Europe Edition About Us Contact Us/Customer Service Media Kit Affiliates / Licensing  
SQL Server Magazine Office & SharePoint Pro Windows Dev Pro IT Job Hound ITTV
IT Library Technology Resource Directory Connected Home Windows Excavator Windows SuperSite 
 
 Windows IT Pro is a Division of Penton Media Inc.
 Copyright © 2009 Penton Media, Inc., All rights reserved. Terms and Use | Privacy Statement | Reprints and Licensing