FIX: Login with administrator privileges and try again

by Ivan Jenic

Troubleshooting Expert

April 29, 2020

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Administrator privileges are security-related rights that restrict other users from performing various actions within the operating system.
When users who don't have admin privileges on their accounts try to perform actions reserved only to administrators, an error message appears on the screen.
In this guide, we'll show you what you can do if your computer is asking you to log in with admin privileges and how you can fix this login issue.
For more useful guides, visit our Windows 10 troubleshooting hub.

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Are you the administrator of your computer and it is still giving you the error message that you need to log in with administrator privileges? Read this article to find out how to fix this issue.

Why is this happening?

Typically, this error occurs because Windows doesn’t usually run programs with administrator privileges.

How to fix Administrator Privileges errors

There are a few ways to fix this error. Try some of the following fixes.

This guide will help you become an expert in making yourself an administrator in Windows 10.

1. Run the program with Administrator Privileges

One way to get this error to disappear is to change the properties in the program to run with administrator privileges. This typically works when the error is popping up in one particular program.

To do this fix, perform the following tasks:

Navigate to the program that is giving the error
Right Click on the program’s icon
Select Properties on the menu
Click on Shortcut
Click on Advanced
Click on the box that says Run As Administrator
Click on Apply
Try opening the program again

2. Enable the elevated Administrator account

There is a hidden elevated administrator account in Windows 10 that could be causing the error in your computer. To enable this account, you can do this in either PowerShell or Command Prompt.

Command Prompt

To enable the elevated administrator account in the command prompt, complete the following steps:

Ensure that the computer is logged in as the Administrator
Press the Windows Button and X simultaneously to access the Win X Menu
Select Command Prompt Admin

Or

Click in the Search Box on the Task Menu
Type Task Manager
Click on More Details
Click on File
Select Run New Task
Type Cmd
Click on the box beside Create this task with Administrative Privileges
Click on OK
In the Command Prompt enter the following Command
1. net user Administrator /active:yes

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PowerShell

To enable the Elevated Administrator Account from PowerShell, perform the following tasks:

Press the Windows Key and the X Key Simultaneously to access the Win X Menu

Or

Click in the Search Box on the Task Bar
Type PowerShell
Right Click on the Program
Select Run As Administrator
In the PowerShell type the following command
1. Enable-LocalUser -Name “Administrator”

3. Restore a previous Windows version

If you’ve tried everything and you’ve failed to get rid of the error message it could be time to seek the help of a professional or roll back to a different version of Windows.

If this error is occurring in a game or a program, ensure that the program is compatible with the version of Windows that you are using. If you’re having compatibility issues use the Windows Compatibility Troubleshooter to help you with this issue.

FAQ: Learn more about administrator privileges

What are administrator privileges?

Administrator rights are a set of privileges that grants users the right to perform a series of actions within the operating system, such as installing software, updating drivers, changing system settings, and more.

How do I change my administrator privileges?

Open the Control Panel
Go to Manage Account
Select the user account you want to change
Click on Change the account type option
Select the Administrator radio button to grant admin rights to the respective account
Save the changes.

Why does my computer say I need administrator permission?

If your computer says you need admin permission, this indicated the account type you’re using does not have the necessary rights to perform the actions you attempted.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in September 2017 and has since been updated for freshness and accuracy.

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Editor's Note: This article was originally published in September 2017 and was revamped and updated in April 2020 for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.