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How to open an app as administrator with a hotkey

Use a KeyRoutines Hotkey trigger with the Run as administrator step and pick the program or shortcut. Windows shows its normal UAC prompt, and the program starts elevated once you allow it.

Steps

  1. 1

    Add a Hotkey trigger

    Pick a chord such as Ctrl+Alt+P.

  2. 2

    Run it elevated

    Add Run as administrator with the program, such as Windows Terminal, or a shortcut to it.

  3. 3

    Decide about copies

    Leave Start another off, so pressing the key again with the app open doesn't start a second elevated copy.

Tips

  • KeyRoutines doesn't bypass UAC. The prompt is Windows' safety check and stays.

Questions

Can KeyRoutines then move or control that admin window?
Controlling apps that run as administrator needs KeyRoutines Pro's admin features, which use a separate elevated helper.
Does it work with .bat or .ps1 files?
Use a shortcut to the script, or pick the program that runs it, such as PowerShell, with the script as its argument.

Blocks this routine uses

Trigger · HotkeysFree

Hotkey

Hotkey starts a routine when you press a keyboard shortcut or mouse button. It's the most common way to run a routine, from a single app launcher key to a whole streaming setup on one combination.

Step · AppsFree

Run as administrator

Run as administrator starts a program or shortcut with elevated rights, the same as right-clicking it and choosing "Run as administrator". It is handy for tools that only work elevated, like some system utilities or hardware control panels.

More how-to guides

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