Move/delete folders in "Program Files" as limited user in Xp professional?

WindowsExP

Junior Member
Dec 20, 2010
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0
Hello.

I have 2 user accounts on my computer, one admin account and one limited user. I am usually logged in on the limited user account. I Use Windows Xp professional. Now, if i want to remove or add files to a specific folder in "Program files" i can't do that when logged in on the limited user account. I then have to switch user, log in as administrater and do it from there. I wonder if anyone knows if there is a way to go in on "My Computer" as administrator, but from within my limited user account.

Thanks in advance.
 

Nothinman

Elite Member
Sep 14, 2001
30,672
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Not easily because Explorer is also your shell. You could use a 3rd party file manager or cmd and just use "Run As". Do you really find yourself running into this a lot? I can't remember the last time I looked in and did something in Program Files manually.
 

WindowsExP

Junior Member
Dec 20, 2010
5
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0
Hello. Thanks for your answer. Yeah, i think i should be able to use Run as, but i don't know how. Yes it would be helpful if i knew how to do it, because i'm using a DAW and software synths and effects are in .dll format, and every time i wan't to try something out i have to switch user. Any particular file manager you have in mind?
 

Nothinman

Elite Member
Sep 14, 2001
30,672
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Hello. Thanks for your answer. Yeah, i think i should be able to use Run as, but i don't know how. Yes it would be helpful if i knew how to do it, because i'm using a DAW and software synths and effects are in .dll format, and every time i wan't to try something out i have to switch user. Any particular file manager you have in mind?

Generally you just Shift+Right->Click and "Run As..." should be an option, however I don't know of any specific 3rd party filemanagers for Windows to recommend. Have you contacted the developer of the synth software to see if they have an update that doesn't require such stupid work arounds?
 

WindowsExP

Junior Member
Dec 20, 2010
5
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Yeah, unfortunately shift+ right-click doesn't work in this case.

This problem most often happens with free softwares that don't have installers, but just .dll files.
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
30,699
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One option is to go to Start > All Programs > Accessories, and use RunAs to elevate a Command Prompt. From there, you can use the command line to do those tasks. To use RunAs, the account you're running as will need to have a password.

As you probably see, that's tedious. One cheat would be to run an app like Notepad as the Admin-level account, then use its Open File dialogue box as an impromptu GUI from which you can cut, paste, move and delete stuff (after selecting "All Files" from the dropdown box, instead of .TXT only). edit: better yet, use Internet Explorer (per Aaron's own recommendation from this page).

Another option would be MakeMeAdmin, which you can read about here, a few paragraphs down.

Yet another option would be to run a newer version of Windows, where UAC would allow you to do these tasks.
 
Last edited:

her209

No Lifer
Oct 11, 2000
56,336
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You're defeating the purpose of the Limited User account. Its not meant to install and/or remove programs.
 

WindowsExP

Junior Member
Dec 20, 2010
5
0
0
One option is to go to Start > All Programs > Accessories, and use RunAs to elevate a Command Prompt. From there, you can use the command line to do those tasks. To use RunAs, the account you're running as will need to have a password.

As you probably see, that's tedious. One cheat would be to run an app like Notepad as the Admin-level account, then use its Open File dialogue box as an impromptu GUI from which you can cut, paste, move and delete stuff (after selecting "All Files" from the dropdown box, instead of .TXT only). edit: better yet, use Internet Explorer (per Aaron's own recommendation from this page).

Another option would be MakeMeAdmin, which you can read about here, a few paragraphs down.

Yet another option would be to run a newer version of Windows, where UAC would allow you to do these tasks.

Thanks, that's some neat tricks you've got there.