How to Restore ‘Run as Different User’ in Windows 11

What Happens When You Enable It?

Turning on the ‘Run as different user’ option in Windows 11 lets you open apps using another account, which is handy if you need special permissions for a program.

You need the username and password of the other account before you start. That account must already exist on the PC or in your domain. You also need administrator rights on your own account to change the registry method. The Settings ⚙️ method is the quickest, so try it first.

Method 1Using the Settings App

The Settings ⚙️ app lets you turn on ‘Run as different user’ in Windows 11 through the developer menu. You can reveal this missing context menu 🖱️ option by opening your system settings, going to the developer section, and turning on the switch for running apps as a different user from the Start menu ⊞.

This toggle is not present in every Windows 11 build. If you don't see it, your version may be older or the setting may be managed by your organization. In that case, skip to the registry method.

1. Open the Settings app by pressing Windows key + I. The Settings window opens with the category list on the left.
2. Click System on the left sidebar. The System settings page appears on the right.
3. Select For developers. You may need to scroll down the System page to find it. A list of developer options opens.
4. Find the File Explorer section. On some builds you will need to scroll down to reach it.
5. Toggle the switch for Show option to run as different user in Start to On. The switch turns blue, and the setting takes effect straight away. You don't need to restart. To undo it, set the switch back to Off.

Method 2Using Registry Editor

The Registry Editor provides a backup method to enable 'Run as different user' in Windows 11 if the toggle is missing from your developer settings. You can force this feature to appear by creating a specific DWORD value inside the Windows Explorer registry key.

On Windows 11 Home and Pro the steps are the same. Back up the registry or create a restore point before you change anything, because a wrong edit can cause problems. To undo the change later, set the value to 0 or delete it, then restart.

1. Press Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Click Yes if User Account Control asks for permission. The Registry Editor opens.
2. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer. Expand the folders in the left pane, or paste the path into the address bar at the top of the window. If the Explorer key is missing under Policies, right-click Policies, choose New › Key, and name it Explorer.
3. Right-click an empty area in the right pane and select New › DWORD (32-bit) Value. A new entry appears in the list with its name highlighted for editing.
4. Name it ShowRunasDifferentuserinStart. Type the name exactly as shown and press Enter.
5. Double-click the new value and set Value data to 1 to enable it. Click OK. The value now shows 0x00000001 (1) in the list.
6. Restart your computer. After you sign back in, the option should be available.

Quick Tip: The Shift + Right-Click Trick

You don't always need to enable the menu option. Hold the Shift key while right-clicking an application icon or file. Run as different user will appear in the extended context menu automatically.

This works best on program files and shortcuts. Windows 11 normally shows the short menu first, and holding Shift skips straight to the full classic menu. After you click the entry, Windows asks for the username and password of the other account. The program then opens under that account.

Troubleshooting: Secondary Logon Service

If the option doesn't appear, or the program won't start after you enter the credentials, your Secondary Logon Service might be disabled. This service is crucial for the feature to work. The Registry Editor is not the place to fix it. Use the Services app instead:

1. Click Start, type Services, and open the Services app. A list of services appears.
2. Locate Secondary Logon in the list and double-click it. Its properties window opens.
3. Set Startup type to Automatic, so the service starts with Windows.
4. Click Start under Service status, then click OK. The status now reads Running.

If the Startup type is greyed out, you are not signed in with an administrator account, or a policy is controlling the service. Ask your IT administrator in that case.

Security Warning

Always close the application immediately after finishing your task to prevent unauthorized access to elevated privileges. Don't tick any option that saves the password, and use the least-privileged account that can do the job. On a work PC, check your organization's policy first, because some companies block this feature on purpose.

Summary

Restoring the 'Run as different user' option in Windows 11 helps you manage permissions effectively. Whether you use the Settings app, the Registry, or the Shift + Right-click shortcut, you can now execute tasks with different credentials. Try the Settings toggle first, fall back to the registry value if it's missing, and remember that Shift + Right-click works without either. Always ensure the Secondary Logon Service is running if you encounter issues.