How to open an elevated PowerShell administrative prompt in Windows 10

Since 2006, Microsoft has combined a PowerShell command line shell that administrators can use to manage their computers and other computers on the network.

“Windows PowerShell is a Windows command line shell designed specifically for system administrators. Windows PowerShell includes an interactive prompt and scripting environment that can be used alone or in combination,” Microsoft explains.

However, many PowerShell commands require elevated or administrative permissions, and you must run an elevated PowerShell prompt to execute them.

This guide contains two methods that you can use to run an elevated PowerShell administrative call.

Method 1: Use the Windows 10 Start Menu context menu

When you right-click the Windows 10 start menu, a context menu appears that allows you to quickly launch common administrative programs.

An option called “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” is included in this context menu, as shown below.

Click “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” to run the elevated PowerShell prompt.

Windows 10 will now display a UAC prompt asking if you want to give the program elevated permissions. click ‘Yes«At this call.

An elevated PowerShell call will now open. You can say that it is elevated because the initial directory will be C: Windows System32 and the window title will be ‘Administrator: Windows PowerShell’.

When you have finished using the prompt, you can close it by clicking the X or by typing “exit” and then pressing enter.

Method 2: Run PowerShell from the elevated command prompt

If you have elevated command call already open, you can run the PowerShell shell by simply typing ‘powershell«And press enter.

When started this way, the PowerShell prompt will look slightly different, as the background will not be blue and will run like a shell in a normal command prompt.

To leave the elevated command line, enter ‘exit«And press enter.