Learn the steps to configure Windows 11 to display the ‘Run as different user‘ option when you right-click on an app in the Start menu.
When using Windows 11 with multiple user accounts, there might be situations where you need to launch or run a specific program or app as a different user. For example, I have separate work and personal user accounts on my computer. From time to time, I need to open a specific app as a different user because the current user account has limited permissions. Thankfully, Windows has a built-in feature/option called “Run as different user” that allows you to launch an application using the credentials and permissions of a different user account without needing to log out of your current session.0
By default, Windows displays this option in the File Explorer when you “Shift + Right-click” on an exe file (application executable). However, since we don’t always have quick and easy access to an application’s exe file, we can make our lives much easier by displaying the ‘Run as different user’ option in the Start menu. That way, you can search for the app in the Start menu, right-click on it, and select the ‘Run as different user’ option.
In this quick and straightforward tutorial, I will guide you through configuring this option in Windows 11 in simple steps. Let’s get started.
Display the ‘Run as different user’ Option in the Start Menu
- Open “Settings” by pressing the “Windows key + I” shortcut.
- Go to the “System” tab on the sidebar.
- Click the “For developers” or “Advanced” option.
- Expand the “File Explorer” dropdown.
- Turn ON the “Show option to run as different user in Start” toggle.
- Close the “Settings” window.
- Restart your computer.
- After restarting, right-clicking on an app in the Start menu displays the “Run as different user” option.
Good to know: How to show full folder path in File Explorer
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
As with most options, you can configure this option using the Settings app. So, press the “Windows key + I” keyboard shortcut to launch the Settings window. You can also right-click the “Windows icon” on the taskbar and select “Settings”.
Once the Settings window opens, go to the “System” tab on the sidebar and then click the “Advanced” option on the right panel.
Note: On older versions of Windows 11, you need to select the “For developers” option in the “System” tab.
On this page, click and expand the “File Explorer” dropdown. Next, turn ON the “Show option to run as different user in Start” toggle.
That is it. You’ve enabled the option. Close the Settings app and restart your computer. After restarting your computer, search for any app in the Start menu and right-click on it to see the “Run as different user” option.
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If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be happy to assist.
