Windows

How to Open Windows Terminal as Admin Automatically

Written by

Richard

Mar 12, 2023 Updated Apr 30, 2026 3 min read

How to Open Windows Terminal as Admin Automatically

Windows Terminal is a powerful tool for managing command-line shells like Command Prompt, PowerShell, and WSL. Many tasks require elevated privileges to modify system files or change settings. This guide explains how to open Windows Terminal as admin automatically to save time.

Why do this?

Running commands as an administrator gives you full control over your computer. If you frequently perform system tasks, manually right-clicking to run as administrator becomes tedious. Setting it to happen automatically streamlines your workflow.

What happens when you do this?

Once configured, every new tab or window you open in Windows Terminal will automatically trigger a UAC (User Account Control) prompt. Upon approval, your session will have full elevated privileges, allowing you to execute restricted commands without extra steps.

Method 1: Use the Settings Menu

This is the most user-friendly way to enable elevation for your profiles.

Open Windows Terminal.
Click the down arrow in the top bar and select Settings.
⚠️ ADMIN REQUIRED: In the sidebar, select the specific profile (e.g., PowerShell or Command Prompt) or Defaults to apply it to all.
Toggle the Run this profile as Administrator switch to On.
Click Save.

Windows Terminal Settings button updated

Run Windows Terminal as administrator in Windows 11

Method 2: Edit the JSON Settings File

Advanced users can modify the settings.json file directly for more granular control.

Open Settings in Windows Terminal.
Click Open JSON file at the bottom left.
Locate the "profiles" or "defaults" section.
Add the line "elevate": true, to the desired profile block.

💻Code

"defaults": 
{
    "elevate": true
},

Creating a Desktop Shortcut for Admin Access

If you want a specific icon that always launches as admin, follow these steps:

Right-click on your desktop and select New > Shortcut.
Type wt.exe in the location box.
Click Next and name the shortcut.
Right-click the new shortcut and select Properties.
Click the Advanced button.
Check the box Run as administrator and click OK.

Command-Line Execution and wt.exe

You can launch Windows Terminal with specific arguments using the wt.exe command. To force an elevated window via the Run dialog (Win+R), use the command wt.exe -w 0 nt --elevated. This is useful for scripts or quick access.

Summary

You can easily open Windows Terminal as admin by toggling the setting in the GUI or adding "elevate": true to your JSON configuration. For custom needs, use a desktop shortcut with elevated properties enabled. For more advanced configuration, refer to the official Microsoft documentation.

Can I mix admin and non-admin tabs in the same window?

No, Windows Terminal currently requires a new window for elevated sessions. Because elevation changes the security context of the process, you cannot mix standard and administrator tabs within a single window instance. Each elevated tab will spawn its own separate, high-privilege window process.

Why does Ctrl+Shift+Enter not work for Windows Terminal?

The Ctrl+Shift+Enter shortcut is a standard Windows feature for launching apps from the Start menu. It does not work inside the Terminal application itself to elevate a new tab. You must configure the profile settings or use the command line to trigger elevation.

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Tags: #Windows 11

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About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips 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.

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