How to enable and use the "Run As" command when running programs in Windows (294676)

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Windows 2000 and in Microsoft Windows XP, you can run programs as a different user than the currently-logged on user. To do this in Windows 2000, the RunAs service must be running, and to do this in Windows XP, the Secondary Logon service must be running. The RunAs and Secondary Logon services are the same service with different names. This step-by-step article describes how to enable and use the Run As command on a Windows 2000-based computer or a Windows XP-based computer.

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Requirements

• A computer that is running a version of Windows 2000 or Windows XP.
• Administrative permissions on the computer.

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Enable the RunAs service on a Windows 2000-based computer, or the Secondary Logon service on a Windows XP-based computer

The service that is required to run the Run As command is, by default, started automatically when you install Windows. However, the service can be disabled by an administrator. If the service has been disabled, you can re-enable it by following these steps:

1. Log on to the computer as Administrator, or log on as a user with administrative permissions.
2. Right-click the My Computer icon, and then click Manage.
3. In Computer Management, expand the Services and Applications node, and then click Services.
4. Perform one of the following steps, depending on which operating system you have:
   • Windows 2000: In the details pane, right-click the RunAs service, and then click Properties.
   • Windows XP: In the details pane, right-click the Secondary Logon service, and then click Properties.
5. In the Properties dialog box, set Startup type to Automatic, and then click Start.
6. After the computer starts the service, click OK to close the Properties dialog box, and then close Computer Management.

The service that is required to run the Run As command is now running on your computer.

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Use the Run As command with a shortcut

1. Navigate to the shortcut item. Click Start, point to Programs, and then locate the shortcut item in the Programs menu.
   
   If the shortcut is not located in the Programs folder of the Start menu, navigate to the proper location of the shortcut.
2. Press SHIFT and hold while you right-click the shortcut item, and then click Run as.
3. Perform one of the following steps, depending on which operating system you have:
   • Windows 2000: In Run As Other User, type the User name, Password, and Domain, and then click OK.
   • Windows XP: In Run As, click the the following user option, type or select the User name, type the Password, and then click OK.

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Troubleshooting

• If you try to start a program, such as an MMC console or a Control Panel item, from a network location by using the Run As command, it could fail if the credentials that are used to connect to the network share are different from the credentials that are used 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.
• The RunAs and Secondary Logon services in Windows 2000 accept only password authentication. If policies require smart card logon, then the Run As command will not work. Smart card authentication can be used with the Run As command in Windows XP.
• The Run As command cannot be used from the LocalSystem account in Windows XP Service Pack 2.

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