Run Control Panel Applets as Another User

How can I run Control Panel applets as another user (one with administrative privileges)?
Sometimes you’ll want to do file and folder modifications, or even partition formatting, but you won’t want to do it while logged on as an administrator.


Every Control Panel applet is in fact a file with a .CPL extension. If you perform a search for these files you’ll see that they’re all located in the %systemroot%\system32 folder.

1. Right-click any file and choose Run As.

1. A dialog box will pop-up asking you for a valid username and password. Enter one of a user that has the required administrative privileges to run and manage that applet.

1. If you gave a valid username and password the applet will open giving you the full permissions to manage it.

That’s it!
BTW, it’s time you got to know the RUNAS command that’s now native in W2K and XP. Open a Command Prompt and run the following command:

​runas /user:computername\Administrator command

where computername is the name of your computer, and username is the name of the user you’re trying to run the command as (e.g. Administrator). The command is the command you’re trying to run (e.g. a batch file, an .exe file or even a control panel applet).
For example, to open System from a command line as an administrator, type:

​runas /user:computername\Administrator "rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL sysdm.cpl"

For a list of some of the Control Panel applet filenames see this (incomplete) list:

Control Panel Applet	Filename
Accessibility	access.cpl
Add New Hardware	hdwwiz.cpl
Add/Remove Programs	appwiz.cpl
Date/Time Properties	timedate.cpl
Display Properties	desk.cpl
FindFast	findfast.cpl
Internet Properties	inetcpl.cpl
Joystick Properties	joy.cpl
Keyboard Properties	main.cpl
Local Users management	nusrmgr.cpl
Microsoft Exchange	mlcfg32.cpl
Microsoft Mail Post Office	wgpocpl.cpl
Modem Properties	modem.cplNote: In Windows NT 4.0, W2K, XP and Windows 2003 – Modem properties is telephon.cpl
Mouse Properties	main.cpl
Multimedia Properties	mmsys.cpl
Network Properties	netcpl.cplNote: In Windows NT 4.0, W2K, XP and Windows 2003 – Network properties is Ncpa.cpl
Password Properties	password.cpl
Power Options	powercfg.cpl
Regional Settings	intl.cpl
Sound Properties	mmsys.cpl
System Properties	sysdm.cpl

Each applet might have additional features. See the links on the right for more details.

Links

Description of Control Panel (.cpl) Files – 149648

How to Run Control Panel Tools by Typing a Command – 192806