How to Run Apps as Different User on Windows 11?

Since Windows 11 is a multi-user operating system, you can run apps as a different user. That means if you have multiple user accounts on your computer, you can run any app using different credentials. There is no need to switch between multiple accounts. This is a useful feature if you want to quickly apply restrictions to an app or prevent it from accessing your data.

In Windows 11, there are several ways to ‘run an application as a different user.’ We will go over all of them, which are simple to use. 

How to Run as a Different User from File Explorer?

To run File Explorer as a different user in Windows 11, follow these steps:

Step 1. First of all, locate the executable (.exe) file in File Explorer that you want to run as a different user.

Step 2. Now, press and hold the Shift key on the keyboard and right-click the executable (.exe) file.

Step 3. After that, select Show more options in the context menu.

Step 4. Next, release the Shift key.

Step 5. Now, select the Run as a different user option in the extended context menu.

Step 6. When you’re prompted, fill in the user credentials of the account you want to run as, and click OK.

How to Run as a Different User from Windows 11 Taskbar?

Note: This method works with already pinned items.

To run as a different user from the Windows 11 Taskbar, follow these steps:

Step 1. First, press and hold the Shift key on the keyboard.

Step 2. Next, right-click on the app icon in the taskbar.

Step 3. After that, release the Shift key.

Step 4. Now, choose the Run as a different user option in the context menu.

Step 5. When you’re prompted, fill in the user credentials of the account you desire to run as, and then click on the OK.

How to Add “Run as a different user” Option to Start Menu?

If your app is pinned to the Start Menu or appears in the “All apps” list, then this method is useful. You can add the “Run as a different user” option to the Start Menu using the Local Group Policy Editor.

Follow the below-mentioned steps to add the “Run as a different user” option to the Windows 11 Start Menu:-

Step 1. First of all, launch the Local Group Policy Editor.

Step 2. Then, browse to the following path from the left side of the Group Policy window:-

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar

Step 3. Next, from the right pane of the “Start Menu and Taskbar” folder, double-click the policy name “Show Run as different user command on Start.”

Step 4. Now, select the Enabled.

Step 5. After that, click on the Apply button.

Step 6. Then, click on the OK button.

Step 7. At last, restart your computer to apply the changes.

How to Show “Run as a different user” on Windows 11 Start Menu by Registry Editor?

If Group Policy Editor is not available on your Windows 11 computer, you can still use Registry Editor to enable “Run as a different user” on the Start Menu. To accomplish this, follow these steps:-

Step 1. First of all, open the Registry Editor.

Step 2. Next, go to the following path from the left sidebar of Registry Editor:-

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer

Quick Note: If the Explorer sub-key is missing under the Windows key, right-click on the Windows key and select New > Key. Name it Explorer.

Step 3. After that, right-click on the Explorer key and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Step 4. Now name the newly created REG_DWORD as ShowRunAsDifferentUserInStart.

Step 5. After that, double-click on the ShowRunAsDifferentUserInStart 

REG_DWORD and set its “Value data” as 1.

Step 6. Then, click on the OK button.

Step 7. Finally, reboot your PC to unfurl the changes.

Now, right-click any app on the Start Menu and select “Run as a different user” from the context menu.

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