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

This article explains how to add or remove the “Run as different user” option in the Start menu on Windows 11.

Why Would You Want This?

Windows lets you use the Run as command to start an application or open a file as a different user or administrator. This is helpful when you want to do admin tasks but you’re logged in as a regular user. For example, if you’re part of the Users or Power Users group.

In older Windows versions, “Run as different user” was always available when you right-clicked something in the Start menu or File Explorer.

In Windows 11, this option was removed by default. The steps below show you how to bring it back. Unlike “Run as administrator,” this option requires you to enter the password of the user account you want to use.

What Happens When You Enable It?

Once enabled, you’ll be able to right-click on items in the Start menu and select “Run as different user” from the menu that appears.

Method 1: Using the Settings App

This is the easiest way to turn this feature on or off.

1. Open the Settings app. You can do this by clicking the Start menu and selecting Settings. Or press Windows key + I on your keyboard.
2. When Settings opens, click Time & Language on the left side.

3. On the right side, select For developers to expand it.

4. Find and expand the File Explorer section.
5. Toggle the button next to “Show option to run as different user in Start” to the On position to enable it.
6. To turn it off later, toggle the button back to Off.
7. Close the Settings app when you’re done.

Method 2: Using Registry Editor

This method is for advanced users. The Windows Registry stores important settings for your computer.

1. [ADMIN REQUIRED] Open the Registry Editor. Press Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to this folder path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer

3. If you don’t see the Explorer folder, right-click on the Windows folder and create new subfolders called Policies, then Microsoft, then Windows, then Explorer.
4. Right-click in the empty space on the right side of the Explorer folder. Select New and then DWORD (32-bit) Value.
5. Name the new key: ShowRunasDifferentuserinStart
6. Double-click the key you just created.
7. Make sure Base is set to Decimal.
8. In the Value data field, type one of these:

• Type 1 to show the “Run as different user” option
• Type 0 to hide the “Run as different user” option

9. Click OK to save.
10. Close Registry Editor.
11. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Summary

Quick recap: Windows 11 hides the “Run as different user” option by default. This feature lets you run programs or open files using a different user account. You can bring this option back using two methods:

• Settings Method: Go to Settings > Time & Language > For developers > File Explorer, and toggle the option on.
• Registry Method: Open Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer, create a new DWORD value called ShowRunasDifferentuserinStart, and set it to 1 to enable or 0 to disable. Then restart your computer.

The Settings method is simpler for most users. Use the Registry method only if you’re comfortable editing your system settings.