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How to enable and use the "Run As" feature in Windows Server 2003

Article ID: 325859 - View products that this article applies to.

This article was previously published under Q325859

SUMMARY

This step-by-step article describes how to enable and use the "Run as" feature in Windows Server 2003.

You can use the "Run as" feature to run a program, MMC console, or Control Panel tool by using the credentials of a user other than the currently-logged on user. This makes it possible for a user with multiple accounts to run a program as a different user. For example, you can use the "Run as" feature to start a program as an administrator if you want to perform administrative tasks when you are logged on as a member of another group, such as the Users or Power Users group.

To use the "Run as" feature, the Secondary Logon service must be running.

Enable the Secondary Logon Service

By default, the Secondary Logon service starts automatically when you start Windows. However, an administrator can disable the service. To enable the service if it is disabled:

Log on as Administrator or as a member of the Administrators group.
Click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Computer Management.
Expand Services and Applications, and then click Services.
In the right pane, right-click Secondary Logon, and then click Properties.
Click the General tab.
In the Startup type box, click Automatic, and then click Start under Service status.
Click OK, and then close the Computer Management window.

Use Run As to Start a Program as Another User

To use the "Run as" feature to start a program as another user:

Locate the program that you want to start in Windows Explorer, the Microsoft Management Console (MMC), or Control Panel.
Press and hold down the SHIFT key while you right-click the .exe file or icon for the program, and then click Run as.
Click The following user.
In the User name and Password boxes, type the user name and password of the user whose credentials you want to use to run the program, and then click OK.

NOTE: You can also use the runas command from a command prompt. For more information, click Start, and then click Run. In the Open box, type cmd, and then click OK. At the command prompt, type runas /?, and then press ENTER.

Troubleshooting

Some programs may not support the use of the runas command.
The runas command does not function correctly when you run it by using the LocalSystem account.
You may not be able to start a program, MMC console, or Control Panel tool from a network location by using the "Run as" feature if the credentials you use to connect to the network share are different from the credentials you use to start the program. The credentials that are used to run the program may not be able to gain access to the same network share.

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REFERENCES

For additional information about how to use the 'Run as' feature, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

325362

(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/325362/EN-US/ )

HOW TO: Use Run As to Start a Program as an Administrator in Windows Server 2003

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