How to Open PowerShell as Administrator
Needed for commands that touch network, services or system configuration.
Many commands (the ones that touch network configuration, services, or system files) require PowerShell to be open with administrator permissions — without this, they give an "access denied" error.
The fastest way
Right-click the Start button → "Terminal (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)".
Alternative from the search box
- Search for "PowerShell" in the Windows search box.
- Right-click the result → "Run as administrator".
You'll know you're in administrator mode if the window title includes the word "Administrator" at the start. If it doesn't appear, commands requiring elevated permissions will fail.
Tip: Windows will ask for confirmation (User Account Control) every time you open PowerShell as administrator — this is a normal security measure, not an error.
Frequently asked questions
Why do some commands fail even though I opened normal PowerShell?
Because they require elevated permissions to modify system configuration, network, or protected files — without opening as administrator, Windows blocks those actions for security.
Is it dangerous to use PowerShell as administrator?
Not by itself — the risk depends on which commands you run, not on administrator mode itself. Only run commands you understand or that come from trusted sources.