Is there any way to run file explorer as administrator under Windows 10

For small things like browsing a folder that cannot be browsed without elevated explorer I start elevated notepad and then in the file open dialog I can browse all directories. With right click I can do quite a bit. (It's a fast solution that mostly does the trick.)


I discovered a way to run Explorer as admin some time ago:

  • start regedit.exe and go to the following key. You should be able to copy/paste this string into the regedit address bar:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\{CDCBCFCA-3CDC-436f-A4E2-0E02075250C2}

  • make a right click on Permissions and set your user as owner (click on advanced button to be able to take ownership) of the key and give your current user writing permissions.

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or use the 3rd party tool RegOwnershipEx to get full control of the key:

  • Next, delete or rename the value RunAs.

Now the Elevated-Unelevated Explorer Factory (which causes that the Run As admin is ignored) is disabled and you can start the Explorer with admin rights.

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Note: In order to start Explorer as admin after having done that, don't do this: Task Manager > Run > explorer.exe with "As admininistrator" checked, it will not work. Instead create an explorer shortcut on desktop, right-click on it and select "Run as admin" or edit the shortcut > Advanced > Run as administrator.


Start command line as Administrator.

Type these commands:

taskkill /im explorer.exe
explorer.exe