How to “Run as different user” on Windows 10?

Because Windows 11 supports multiple users, you can launch the software as a different user. This means that if your computer has multiple user accounts, you can launch any app using a different set of credentials. There is no need to alternate between different accounts. This is a useful function, for instance, if you want to quickly impose some limitations on an application or stop it from accessing your private information.

In Windows 11, there are numerous options to “launch an application as a different user.” All of them, are simple to utilize. This is what we are going to discuss in this risewindows article.

How to Run as a Different User from File Explorer?

Use the following steps to run as different user from File Explorer in Windows 11:-

Step 1: In File Explorer, first find the executable (.exe) file that you wish to run as a different user.

Step 2: Next, while holding down the Shift key on your computer, right-click on the executable (.exe) file.

Step 3: After that, in the context menu, click on Show more options.

Step 4: Now, release the Shift key.

Step 5: Next, from the extended context menu, choose the Run as different user option.

Step 6: Enter the user credentials for the account you want to run as when requested, and then click on OK.

How to Run as Different User from Windows 11 Taskbar?

Note that already-pinned things will work with this technique.

Use the following steps to run as a different user from Windows 11 Taskbar:-

Step 1: On the keyboard, press and hold the Shift key.

Step 2: After that, right-click on the taskbar app icon.

Step 3: Now, release the Shift key.

Step 4: Next, from the context menu, select the Run as different user option.

Step 5: Enter the user credentials for the account you wish to run as when requested and then click on OK.

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

If your program is listed under the “All apps” list or is pinned to the Start Menu, you should utilize this option. Using the Local Group Policy Editor, you may add the “Run as different user” option to the Start Menu.

Use the following steps to add “Run as different user” option to Windows 11 Start Menu:-

Step 1: First, launch Local Group Policy Editor.

Step 2: After that, navigate to the following location on the Group Policy window’s left side:-

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar

Step 3: Double-click on the policy labelled “Show Run as separate user command on Start” located in the “Start Menu and Taskbar” folder’s right pane.

Step 4: Select Enabled.

Step 5: Click on Apply.

Step 6: Click on OK.

Step 7: To apply the modifications, restart your computer.

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

Use the following steps to use the Registry Editor to enable “Run as different user” on Start Menu:-

Step 1: First, open Registry Editor.

Step 2: After that, go to the following location in Registry Editor’s left sidebar:-

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer

Quick Tip: Right-click on the Windows key and choose New > Key if the Explorer sub-key is missing. Let us call it Explorer.

Step 3: Next, use the right-click menu to choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value from the Explorer key.

Step 4: The newly formed REG DWORD should be named ShowRunAsDifferentUserInStart.

Step 5: After that, click twice on the ShowRunAsDifferentUserInStart REG DWORD and change its “Value data” to 1.

Step 6: Click on OK.

Step 7: Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Now when you right-click any app on the Start Menu, a context menu option called “Run as a different user” will show up.

That is it.

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