How to disable the Run As feature on a Windows Server 2003-based or on a Windows XP-based computer

This article discusses how to disable the Run As feature on a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based or a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer. The Run As feature allows a user with multiple accounts to provide alternative credentials and 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 the Power Users group. To use the Run As feature on a Windows Server 2003-based or a Windows XP-based computer, hold the SHIFT key down and right-click a program, MMC console, or Control Panel tool, and then type the credentials of a user other than the user who is currently logged on.

To disable the Run As feature, follow these steps.

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

1. Start Registry Editor.
   
   To do this, click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. Locate, and then click the following registry key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer
3. Click the Edit menu, point to New, click DWORD Value, and then type HideRunAsVerb.
4. Double-click HideRunAsVerb, and then type 1 in the Value data area, and then click OK.

The Runas.exe file is located in the Windows\System32 directory. In a domain environment, you can use software restriction policies to disallow access to this executable file. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: