Windows

How to Open Windows Terminal as Admin Automatically

Written by

Richard

Mar 12, 2023 Updated Aug 13, 2026 3 min read

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Windows Terminal running as an admin automatically lets you open Command Prompt, PowerShell, or Linux with full system rights right away. Windows Terminal is the modern hub built into Windows 10 version 1903 and newer, plus all versions of Windows 11, that brings your command-line tools together in tabs.

You normally need to right-click the app icon and pick “Run as administrator” every time you want extra power. Setting it to start this way by default skips that extra click, while still popping up the standard User Account Control security screen to keep your PC safe.

⚡ Quick Answer

Open Windows Terminal, go to Settings, select a profile, and toggle “Run this profile as Administrator” to On. Save the changes. This will prompt a User Account Control (UAC) confirmation each time you launch that profile.

Method 1Use the Settings Menu

Opening Windows Terminal as admin is possible using the **Settings** menu to configure specific profiles, like PowerShell, to always start with administrator rights. This configuration ensures chosen command-line tools run with the permissions they need.

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.

Open Windows Terminal app in Windows 11 — open the Terminal app in Windows

Windows Terminal Settings button updated

Run Windows Terminal as administrator in Windows 11 — Run the Terminal window as administrator in Windows

Method 2Edit the JSON Settings File

Editing the Windows Terminal JSON settings file offers more control, letting specific profiles always run with administrator privileges. This method provides a deeper level of customization for how Terminal profiles launch.

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.

Terminal app profile section

💻Code

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

Creating a Desktop Shortcut for Admin Access

Creating a desktop shortcut is a reliable way to open Windows Terminal as admin every time, providing a dedicated icon that launches Terminal with necessary permissions. This shortcut allows launching Terminal directly with administrator rights without navigating usual menus.

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

Windows Terminal launches using specific parameters called arguments. For instance, forcing an elevated window via the Run dialog (Win+R) requires typing wt.exe -w 0 nt --elevated. This approach benefits automated scripts or rapid access.

Summary

Windows Terminal opens as admin either by toggling the setting in the graphical interface or by adding "elevate": true to the JSON configuration. Custom workflows benefit from desktop shortcuts with elevated properties enabled. For advanced configuration, consult the official Microsoft documentation.

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

Windows Terminal currently requires a separate window for elevated sessions. Security context changes prevent mixing standard and administrator tabs in the same window instance. Each elevated tab spawns a dedicated, high-privilege window process.

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

The Ctrl+Shift+Enter shortcut serves as a standard Windows feature for launching apps from the Start menu. It fails to work inside the Terminal application itself for elevating a new tab. Profile settings or command-line arguments must trigger elevation instead.

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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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