Accounts Check if App or Process is Running as Administrator (elevated) in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to determine if an app or process is currently running as administrator (elevated) or not in 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).

Windows has standard user and administrator types of user accounts.

Standard User - Standard user accounts are good for everyday usage, and can be a local account or Microsoft account. Standard user accounts can use most apps and change system settings that do not affect other users. If any action that requires elevated rights is attempted while signed in as a standard user, Windows will display a UAC prompt for the password of an administrator for approval. If UAC is set to "Never notify", then a standard user will automatically be denied the elevated action.

Administrator - Administrator accounts have complete access to the PC and can make any desired changes. Administrators can be a local account or Microsoft account. If any action that requires elevated rights is attempted while signed in as an administrator, Windows will display a UAC prompt for the administrator to confirm (Yes or No) using full administrator rights.

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.


Here's How:

1 Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc).

2 Open the Details page in Task Manager. (see screenshot below)

3 In the Name column, look for the process name (ex: "WindowsTerminal.exe") you want to know if it's running elevated or not.

4 Look in the Elevated column to see Yes or No if the process (ex: "WindowsTerminal.exe") is running elevated.

If you do not have the Elevated column available, you will need to add it.

That's it,
Shawn Brink