Use Windows Explorer as an admin when logged on as an end user

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The impersonation service, Runas, is a nice Windows 2000 feature. But Runas can't run Windows Explorer impersonated, because in Win2k new Windows Explorer windows are spawned as threads of the main explorer.exe invocation. You can circumvent this behavior in the following way:

Select Start, Run and type:

runas /user:administrator ""c:program filesinternet exploreriexplore" c:"

Click OK. When the system prompts you, enter your administrator password.

Syntax broken down. There should be a space between each line grouping: Group 1: Command
RUNAS

Group 2: The user to run program, for a domain account, type:
domain/username
/user:administrator

Group 3: Path to Internet Explorer, change if different
""c:program filesinternet exploreriexplore"

Group 4: Drive letter to open, change for a different drive to access
c:"

This command executes Windows Explorer in the desired context. Adding a local path makes Windows Explorer emulate the default (i.e., no Windows Explorer bars or buttons).
 

This was first published in June 2003

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