Changing a shortcut's (icon) target

[malG]

I'm running XP Home in a limited user account. Some games require me to run in an Admin account so while in limited account, I right click the applicable start menu shortcut (icon) and select "Run as..." which solves the problem.

I wonder if it's possible to change the shortcut's (icon) target (right click shortcut, properties, "Shortcut" tab) so I can directly enter the Admin username/password? This will save me a few clicks. Thanks.

 

[porcorosso]

If I understand what you're asking, the answer is yes.

In the Target field of the Shortcut tab of the shortcut's Properties dialog you need to change the information so that RUNAS is the target and the executable is a parameter of RUNAS.

If you open a CMD window and type "RUNAS /?" (no quotes) and hit the Enter key you'll see a listing of the syntax to be use, with some examples. If you use the /savecred switch then you'll only be asked to enter the admin profile password the first time you use the modified shortcut. After that the shortcut will simply execute under the admin credentials.

I hope this explanation is clear enough. I've got a migraine today. Not thinking very well.

 

[scottws]

Yeah, you do something like this:

"runas /user:<pc name>\Administrator /savecred <path to program>"

I think that's the right syntax.

 

[malG]

Originally posted by: scottws

"runas /user:<pc name>\Administrator /savecred <path to program>"

COD2's shortcut target: "C:\Program Files\Activision\Call of Duty 2\cod2sp_s.exe"

My computer name is: "XPC"

My limited user account is: "malG"

Hence the target should be "runas /user:XPC\Administrator /savecred C:\Program Files\Activision\Call of Duty 2\cod2sp_s.exe"

It doesn't seem to work, can you please double check? Thanks.

 

[porcorosso]

Just a problem with the positioning of quotation marks. Should be --

C:\WINDOWS\system32\runas.exe /user:Administrator /savecred "C:\Program Files\ctivision\Call of Duty 2\cod2sp_s.exe"

-- assuming that the admin user account you are using is actually named "Administrator". The first time you use the shortcut you'll get a command line interface with a request for the password for the admin user. If you supply the correct password that first time then the next time you use the shortcut the software will just run under the admin account.

You should be able to just copy / paste what I put above into the shortcut's "Target" field. BTW, it isn't necessary to include the machine name in this case.

 

[scottws]

Actually, don't copy/paste what he has lol.

porcorosso! You forgot the "A" in "Activision."

 

[porcorosso]

*administers dope slap to self*

😱

Hey, I ain't very smart on my best days. And I've got a serious brain ache today.

Thanks for catching that, scottws. My apologies to malG if my misstep caused any hardship.