This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the Run as administrator context menu item for .msi files for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Windows runs desktops apps and application files (ex: .bat, .cmd, .exe, and .msc file types) in user mode by default without elevated administrator rights unless it prompts you with UAC to run elevated (highest privileges).
When you use Run as administrator on a desktop app or application file, you are allowing it to run with full administrator access to everything on the computer. This means you are giving it special permissions to access restricted parts of the computer that would otherwise be off-limits. This could be a potential security risk if not a trusted app or application file, but sometimes "Run as administrator" is necessary for a trusted app or application file to run properly if it requires elevated rights for full access.
A .msi file is a Windows Installer package file. Is uses the Microsoft Windows Installer service to configure installer packages, such as applications.
You must be signed in as an administrator to add, remove, and use the Run as administrator context menu for .msi files.
EXAMPLE: "Run as administrator" context menu for MSI files
Here's How:
1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.
2 Add Run as administrator to Context Menu of MSI Files
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Add_Run_as_administrator_to_MSI_context_menu.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.msi]
@="Msi.Package"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Msi.Package\Shell\runas]
"HasLUAShield"=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Msi.Package\shell\runas\command]
@=hex(2):22,00,25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,\
00,25,00,5c,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,6d,00,\
73,00,69,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,63,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,22,00,20,00,2f,\
00,69,00,20,00,22,00,25,00,31,00,22,00,20,00,25,00,2a,00,00,003 Remove Run as administrator from Context Menu of MSI Files
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_administrator_from_MSI_context_menu.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Msi.Package\Shell\runas]4 Save the REG file to your desktop.
5 If you have Smart App Control turned on, you will need to unblock the downloaded REG file.
6 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.
7 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
8 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited:
