This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the Run as different user context menu on Start for your account, specific users, or all users in Windows 11.
Run as different user allows a user to run a .bat, .cmd, .exe, .msc, or .msi file as a different user. This allows running the .bat, .cmd, .exe, .msc, or .msi file with the same permissions and rights as the different user instead of the user account they are currently signed in to.
To use Run as different user in File Explorer, you would normally have to right click on the .bat, .cmd, .exe, .msc, or .msi file, press and hold the Shift key, right click on Show more options, release the Shift key, and click/tap on Run as different user.
The Run as different user context menu is not available in the Start menu by default, but it can be added.
Run as different user does require you to enter the credentials of the user you want to run as.
Contents
- Option One: Add or Remove "Run as different user" context menu on Start for Current User in Settings
- Option Two: Add or Remove "Run as different user" context menu on Start for Current User using REG file
- Option Three: Add or Remove "Run as different user" context menu on Start for All or Specific Users in Local Group Policy Editor
- Option Four: Add or Remove "Run as different user" context menu on Start for All Users using REG file
EXAMPLE: "Run as different user" context menu in Start menu
1 Open Settings (Win+I).
2 Click/tap on Privacy & security on the left side, and click/tap on For developers on the right side. (see screenshots below)
Starting with Windows 11 version 22H2 KB5030310 Build 22621.2361, For developers is now in Settings > System.
3 Click/tap on File Explorer to expand it open. (see screenshot below step 4)
4 Turn On (add) or Off (default - remove) Show option to run as different user in Start for what you want. (see screenshot below)
5 You can now close Settings if you like.
Add or Remove "Run as different user" context menu on Start for Current User using REG file
1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you want.
2. Add "Run as different user" context menu to Start Menu
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Add_Run_as_different_user_in_Start_for_current_user.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"ShowRunAsDifferentUserInStart"=dword:00000001 3. Remove "Run as different user" context menu from Start Menu
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Remove_Run_as_different_user_in_Start_for_current_user.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"ShowRunAsDifferentUserInStart"=dword:000000004 Save the REG file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.
Add or Remove "Run as different user" context menu on Start for All or Specific Users in Local Group Policy Editor
The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
All editions can use Option Four to configure the same policy.
1 Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.
2 Navigate to the policy location below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
3 In the right pane of Start Menu and Taskbar, double click/tap on the Show "Run as different user" command on Start policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)
4 Do step 5 (add) or step 6 (remove) below for what you would like to do.
5 Add "Run as different user" context menu on Start Menu
This will override Option One and Option Two.
A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)
6 Remove "Run as different user" context menu on Start Menu
This is the default setting to allow using Option One and Option Two.
A) Select (dot) Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)
7 You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.
Add or Remove "Run as different user" context menu on Start for All Users using REG file
1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.
2 Add "Run as different user" context menu to Start Menu for All Users
This will override Option One and Option Two.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Add_Run_as_different_user_on_Start_for_all_users.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"ShowRunAsDifferentUserInStart"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"ShowRunasDifferentuserinStart"=dword:000000013 Remove "Run as different user" context menu from Start Menu for All Users
This is the default setting to allow using Option One and Option Two.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Remove_Run_as_different_user_on_Start_for_all_users.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"ShowRunAsDifferentUserInStart"=-
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
"ShowRunasDifferentuserinStart"=-4 Save the REG file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 Either restart the explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.
8 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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