How to always run PowerShell as administrator

On Windows 11 or Windows 10, if you usually find yourself running PowerShell commands as an administrator, you can now save a few steps by enabling an option to always run the command-line utility as an administrator using the Windows Terminal.

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. If 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 PowerShell elevated when launching Windows Terminal.

• Always open PowerShell as administrator
• Always open Windows Terminal as administrator

Always open PowerShell as administrator

To run PowerShell always as an administrator on Windows 11 or Windows 10, 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 PowerShell.

4. Turn on the “Run this profile as Administrator” toggle switch to run PowerShell elevated automatically.

   

5. Click the Save button.

Once you complete the steps, close the terminal, and when you reopen PowerShell, 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 PowerShell 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 all profiles 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.