Windows

How to Open Windows Terminal as Admin Automatically

Richard
Written by
Richard
Mar 12, 2023 Updated Apr 16, 2026 2 min read
How to Open Windows Terminal as Admin Automatically

This guide shows you how to make Windows Terminal open with administrator rights every time you launch it. Windows Terminal is a modern tool for power users to run command-line shells like Command Prompt, Windows PowerShell, and bash via Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). It is much better than older tools because it supports tabs, custom colors, and faster text rendering.

Why do this?

If you use the Terminal often, you likely need to run commands that require extra permissions. Instead of right-clicking and selecting “Run as administrator” every single time, you can set it to do this automatically. This saves you time and extra clicks.

What happens when you do this?

Every time you open the Windows Terminal app, it will automatically start with full administrator privileges. You will be ready to run any advanced command immediately.

Method 1: Use the Settings Menu

This is the simplest way to change your settings.

  1. Open the Windows Terminal app from your Start menu.
Open Windows Terminal app in Windows 11

  1. Click the down arrow in the top bar and select Settings.
Windows Terminal Settings button updated

⚠️ ADMIN REQUIRED: In the Settings window, click on Defaults in the left sidebar.

  1. Find the switch labeled Run this profile as Administrator.
  2. Toggle the switch to the On position.
Run Windows Terminal as administrator in Windows 11

  1. Click the Save button at the bottom.

Method 2: Edit the JSON File

This method is for users who prefer to edit configuration files directly.

⚠️ ADMIN REQUIRED: Open the Windows Terminal app, click the down arrow, and select Settings.

  1. At the bottom left of the window, click Open JSON file.
Windows Terminal open json file

A text file will open. Find the section called “defaults”.

Windows Terminal app profile settings section

  1. Add the following line inside the “defaults” section:
  2. "elevate": true,

It should look like this:

💻Code
"defaults": 
{
    "elevate": true
},
  1. Save the file. Your changes will take effect immediately.

Summary

You can easily set Windows Terminal to run as an administrator by using either the Settings menu or the JSON configuration file.

  • Settings Menu: Open Settings, go to Defaults, and toggle “Run this profile as Administrator” to On.
  • JSON File: Open the JSON file and add "elevate": true, inside the “defaults” section.

Both methods achieve the same result. Choose the one you find most comfortable. For more details and updates, visit the official https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/terminal/.

Was this guide helpful?

Tags: #Windows 11
Richard

About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, the owner and lead writer at Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast passionate about simplifying complex IT topics. His years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations have honed his ability to provide practical insights and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.

2454 articles → Twitter

📚 Related Tutorials

How to Run Windows Terminal in the Background
Windows How to Run Windows Terminal in the Background
How to Open Windows Terminal at Startup in Windows 11
Windows How to Open Windows Terminal at Startup in Windows 11
How to Reset Windows Terminal to Default Settings in Windows 11
Windows How to Reset Windows Terminal to Default Settings in Windows 11
How to Turn On or Off Always On Top for Windows Terminal in Windows 11
Windows How to Turn On or Off Always On Top for Windows Terminal in Windows 11

37 responses to “How to Open Windows Terminal as Admin Automatically”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *