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How can I run Control Panel applets as another user (one with administrative privileges)?
Sometimes you'll want to do file and folder modifications, or even partition formatting, but you won't want to do it while logged on as an administrator.
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Every Control Panel applet is in fact a file with a .CPL extension. If you perform a search for these files you'll see that they're all located in the %systemroot%\system32 folder.
- Right-click any file and choose Run As.
- A dialog box will pop-up asking you for a valid username and password. Enter one of a user that has the required administrative privileges to run and manage that applet.
- If you gave a valid username and password the applet will open giving you the full permissions to manage it.
That's it!
BTW, it's time you got to know the RUNAS command that's now native in W2K and XP. Open a Command Prompt and run the following command:
runas /user:computername\Administrator command
where computername is the name of your computer, and username is the name of the user you're trying to run the command as (e.g. Administrator). The command is the command you're trying to run (e.g. a batch file, an .exe file or even a control panel applet).
For example, to open System from a command line as an administrator, type:
runas /user:computername\Administrator "rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl"
For a list of some of the Control Panel applet filenames see this (incomplete) list:
| Control Panel Applet | Filename |
| Accessibility | access.cpl |
| Add New Hardware | hdwwiz.cpl |
| Add/Remove Programs | appwiz.cpl |
| Date/Time Properties | timedate.cpl |
| Display Properties | desk.cpl |
| FindFast | findfast.cpl |
| Internet Properties | inetcpl.cpl |
| Joystick Properties | joy.cpl |
| Keyboard Properties | main.cpl |
| Local Users management | nusrmgr.cpl |
| Microsoft Exchange | mlcfg32.cpl |
| Microsoft Mail Post Office | wgpocpl.cpl |
| Modem Properties | modem.cplNote: In Windows NT 4.0, W2K, XP and Windows 2003 - Modem properties is telephon.cpl |
| Mouse Properties | main.cpl |
| Multimedia Properties | mmsys.cpl |
| Network Properties | netcpl.cplNote: In Windows NT 4.0, W2K, XP and Windows 2003 - Network properties is Ncpa.cpl |
| Password Properties | password.cpl |
| Power Options | powercfg.cpl |
| Regional Settings | intl.cpl |
| Sound Properties | mmsys.cpl |
| System Properties | sysdm.cpl |
Each applet might have additional features. See the links on the right for more details.
Links
Description of Control Panel (.cpl) Files - 149648
