Windows’ built-in “Run-As” command allows you to launch a program as a different user account than the one currently active, However, runas.exe cannot be fully automated as it requires that the user typein the password for the alternate account. RunAsTool is portable freeware which allows standard users to run a specific program with administrator privileges without the need to enter the administrator password. This allows you to provide standard (non-admin) users with access to programs that require admin rights.
Some programs may not run correctly under a restricted account due to missing administrator rights. Therefore, many users are given administrator accounts, which makes the system more vulnerable to malware, viruses and other security risks. With RunAsTool, you can fix this. The login information for the application like username and password are read from an encrypted file – You don’t have to worry about your Admin Password.
RunAsTool v1.6 – What’s New – (Wednesday, July 1, 2026)
1. [ADDED] – Password security has been enhanced.
2. [ADDED] – Domain support.
3. [ADDED] – The method was modified to work in portable mode.
4. [ADDED] – verifying the hash before running.
5. [ADDED] – prompting for a password before running.
6. [ADDED] – Option to inherit variables.
7. [REMOVED] – Support for Import Cmd parameters.
8. [REMOVED] – Support for XP.
9. [ADDED] – A large portion of the program has been rewritten.
How to use
With RunAsTool there is no need to use a CMD prompt or any parameter in order to allow a standard user to run a program with admin rights. Just download, extract, and launch RunAsTool. Note: Problems may occur if RunAsTool is moved to the desktop and run from there. Both the administrator and users who will use the program must have access to the relevant folder. Therefore, running the program from a location to which you have access permissions will help prevent certain issues.
1) Administrators In standard user account:
Launch RunAsTool and choose an admin account (if there are more than one) and type in the associated admin password.
RunAsTool has two user interfaces (UI). One for administrator accounts and one for standard users. (Standard users aren’t able to use the admin UI). In the admin UI, you can easily drag and drop any program(s) into the UI in order to give it admin privileges. Standard users can also create application shortcuts.
To change the places of the icons in the interface, simply drag them on each other. RunAsTool has several useful options. For example, “Run with default rights”, “Run as limited user”, as well as the ability to show, hide, minimize, or maximize the launched window(s). As a security check, administrators can use “check the file size before run” feature. If a restricted user attempts to rename another program in order to run it with admin rights (a.k.a. “spoofing”), this option will prevent the user from doing so.
2) Administrators In Administrator user account:
Admins can easily add program(s), then right click it/them and create a shortcut on the standard user’s desktop.
The Options menu contains many useful features, such as restricting Limited Mode, creating application shortcuts on the desktop, and adding a DLL file to the Allowed Module list.
Administrators can also easily import and export program lists. Just click File–>Menu and choose Import or Export. This is useful to create a list once and use it again later.
Standard users have two options to use an allowed program(s) with admin privileges.
1) In the RunAsTool restricted UI, double-click any program to run it with admin rights.
2) If the administrator has allowed it, a standard user may click any program and create their own shortcuts, so that there is no need to launch RunAsTool every time. They can also use any shortcut which the admin has already created for them. RunAsTool also supports domains. You can configure your settings in your Active Directory system and access the tool via a shared folder on other Windows systems connected to the same domain.
Supported operating systems: Windows 11 , Windows 10 , Windows 8.1 ,Windows 8 , Windows 7 , Windows Vista
Supported languages: English, Turkish, German, French, Polish
File: RunAsTool_x64.exe │ Virustotal
MD5: 32f05522749f93b52436d2947912a911
SHA1: 7930d2ee7eeec17ec79aa5c579979975c1fe50f4
File: RunAsTool.exe │ Virustotal
MD5: 25a1099d786dc05d15ad221816828354
SHA1: d22394a7f3c4842ee418943a551783dadcd1b32d
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Hello,
I’m currently testing your application, which seems to be the perfect answer to my problem. However, I had a small question concerning profile management:
A normal user : User
An administrator (used by RunAsTool: Admin
When I’m logged in as "User", if I launch an application via RunAsTool, the default profile used is that of the "Admin" user.
For example, once the application has been launched, if I go to the "File, Open" menu, the default folder is that of "Admin" (c:\Users\Admin\….).
Would it be possible to select the profile to be used, i.e. the user currently logged in?
We have a problem for some users. They are able to use RunAs one time to launch a program fine. If they try to launch a second item the program title bar says "Please wait" but nothing ever happens. The only solution is to reboot. Has anyone had a similar experience? They only fix we’ve found for it is to reinstall Windows and reconfigure everything but I have to believe there is a better solution.
I can’t use a domain account, do you have any plans to apply this part?
Hi,The program is designed to work on local admin account. It may not work properly on the network.
We have noted down the error. Thanks
Hello, I often encounter the problem of incorrect password after entering the password recently. But I’m sure my password is correct. Because I restarted the computer and entered the password correctly. I use it in a domain environment. Use a unified local administrator password
Doesn’t support Domain Admin yet
Hello, how to use a Domain Admin user instead of the local admin account? How to add a Domain User to the List to choose from when starting?
It seems that you are getting this error because the user does not have access to the location where the RunAsTool program is located. You can copy the RunAsTool application to a folder like %ProgramFiles% to which normal users have access Or give the folder where RunAsTool is located the necessary NTFS permissions for that user.
windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the correct permissions to access this item. What should I do to make the program run?
You’re welcome.
Works perfectly – as described!
Thanka a lot!
Hi , The program only works with a local admin account with password.
It is very unlikely that a character you used in the password may have caused a problem.
I logined as administrator (administrator in administrator user account).
When i run RunAs Tool, it shows error message "User password is wrong" after typed in the admin password. Please advise. Thanks.
Hello i was wondering if there is a way to install the program silent?
Thank you!It solved my problem!
Noted it down , thank you.
This is a great program. The only drawback is that it itself runs without a password. Whereas it is logical that the launch itself be closed with a password set for this very purpose and not related to the Administrator password.