How to always run Command Prompt as administrator

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On Windows Terminal, you now have an option to always run Command Prompt and other profiles as an administrator automatically whether you use Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Although it’s always recommended to run Command Prompt without elevation, this option will reduce the steps to launch the command-line shell for users who often have to run commands and scripts that require admin privileges.
The auto-elevate option is available on Windows Terminal version 1.13 and higher. To check the terminal version, use the wt -v command. If you have to update the app, use the winget upgrade --id Microsoft.WindowsTerminal.Preview command. In the case that you don’t have the app, use the winget install --id Microsoft.WindowsTerminal.Preview command to install it.
This guide will teach you the steps to always run Command Prompt elevated when launching Windows Terminal.

Always open Command Prompt as administrator

To run Command Prompt always as an administrator through Windows Terminal, use these steps:

  1. Open Windows Terminal.
  2. Click the menu button next to the new tab option and select the Settings option.
  3. Under the “Profiles” section, click on Command Prompt.
  4. Turn on the “Run this profile as Administrator” toggle switch to run Command Prompt elevated automatically.
  5. Click the Save button.

Once you complete the steps, close the terminal, and when you reopen Command Prompt, the console will open as admin. However, you will still need to confirm the elevation like any other app.

Enable always run as administrator option through JSON settings

To enable the elevation option in the JSON settings file, use these steps:

  1. Open Windows Terminal.
  2. Click the menu button next to the new tab option and select the Settings option.
  3. Click on Open JSON file.
  4. In the Command Prompt bracket, add the "elevate": true, option.
  5. Use the Ctrl + S keyboard shortcut to save the file.

Always open Windows Terminal as administrator

To run all command consoles elevated through Windows Terminal, use these steps:

  1. Open Windows Terminal.
  2. Click the menu button next to the new tab option and select the Settings option.
  3. Under the “Profiles” section, click on Defaults.
  4. Turn on the “Run this profile as Administrator” toggle switch to run Command Prompt, PowerShell, and any other profile elevated automatically.
  5. Click the Save button.

After you complete the steps, the next time you open Command Prompt, PowerShell, or any other command terminal, it will open elevated.