How to Run a Game as Administrator on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

If your favorite PC game keeps crashing, refusing to launch, or behaving strangely, running it as an administrator can often solve the problem. Windows 11 has tighter security and permissions than previous versions, which sometimes prevents games from accessing essential files. Don’t worry—this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to run games with administrator privileges safely and efficiently.

Table of Contents

Why Run a Game as Administrator?

Running a game as administrator gives it elevated permissions, which allows it to:

Access system files and folders that are otherwise restricted.
Avoid crashes caused by permission issues.
Install updates or patches without being blocked.
Prevent certain errors related to configuration files.

In short, it’s often the quickest fix for games that misbehave on Windows 11.

Requirements Before You Start

Before running a game as administrator, make sure you have:

A Windows 11 PC with administrator privileges.
The game installed on your system.
Optional: Desktop shortcut for easy access.

Having these ready ensures a smooth process without interruptions.

Step 1: Locate the Game Executable

The first step is finding the file that actually launches the game:

Open File Explorer.
Navigate to the game installation folder (commonly in C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86)).
Look for the game’s executable file, usually ending with .exe.

Pro tip: If you installed the game via Steam or Epic Games, you can right-click the game in the launcher and select Properties → Local Files → Browse Local Files to find the executable.

Step 2: Run as Administrator Temporarily

If you just want to test the game:

Right-click the game’s .exe file.
Select Run as administrator.
Confirm the User Account Control (UAC) prompt.

The game will launch with elevated permissions this one time.

Step 3: Always Run the Game as Administrator

If the game works when run as administrator, you can make it permanent:

Right-click the game’s .exe file.
Select Properties.
Go to the Compatibility tab.
Check Run this program as an administrator.
Click Apply → OK.

Now, every time you launch the game, it will automatically run with administrator privileges.

Step 4: Run Games from Game Launchers as Administrator

If you use launchers like Steam or Epic Games:

Steam: Right-click Steam.exe → Properties → Compatibility → Run as administrator.
Epic Games Launcher: Same process as Steam.

This ensures games launched through these platforms inherit administrator privileges without manually running the .exe every time.

Step 5: Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with administrator rights, games can sometimes misbehave. Here’s how to fix common problems:

Game Won’t Launch

Make sure your account has administrator privileges.
Update your graphics drivers.
Verify the game files via the launcher.

User Account Control (UAC) Prompts Too Often

You can adjust UAC settings by searching for Change User Account Control settings in the Start menu.
Lower the slider to reduce prompts, but don’t disable UAC entirely for security reasons.

Game Crashes or Freezes

Run the game in compatibility mode (Windows 7 or 8).
Check for conflicting software or overlays (Discord, MSI Afterburner, etc.).

Step 6: Use Desktop Shortcuts for Convenience

Running a game as administrator every time is easier with a desktop shortcut:

Right-click the .exe file.
Select Send to → Desktop (create shortcut).
Apply Run as administrator settings to the shortcut.

Now you can launch the game directly from your desktop with the proper permissions.

Step 7: Combine Administrator Mode with Compatibility Settings

Some older games require both administrator rights and compatibility adjustments:

Right-click the game .exe.
Select Properties → Compatibility.
Check Run this program in compatibility mode and select the appropriate Windows version.
Check Run this program as an administrator.
Click Apply → OK.

This is especially useful for legacy games that weren’t designed for Windows 11.

Step 8: Using Task Scheduler to Run Games as Administrator

If you want a silent UAC bypass:

Open Task Scheduler and select Create Task.
Under General, check Run with highest privileges.
Under Actions, choose Start a program and browse to the game .exe.
Create a shortcut to the scheduled task on your desktop.

This method launches the game with admin privileges without triggering UAC every time.

Step 9: Benefits of Running Games as Administrator

Reduces permission-related crashes.
Ensures smoother gameplay for older or poorly optimized titles.
Allows mods or patches that require file access to function properly.
Avoids issues with saving game progress in protected folders.

It’s a small step that can prevent hours of frustration.

Step 10: Things to Avoid

While running a game as administrator can solve many problems, be cautious:

Don’t run untrusted games as administrator; it could compromise your system.
Avoid disabling UAC entirely—it’s a critical security feature.
Always check the source of the game to prevent malware risks.

Staying cautious ensures a safer and more stable gaming experience.

Conclusion

Running games as an administrator on Windows 11 is a simple yet powerful fix for crashes, permission errors, and installation issues. Whether you’re using a game launcher like Steam or manually launching .exe files, following this guide ensures your games run smoothly and without interruptions. By combining administrator privileges with compatibility settings, you can enjoy older and newer games alike, hassle-free.

FAQs

1. Will running a game as administrator improve performance?
Not directly. It solves permission-related issues, but won’t boost FPS or graphics.

2. Can I run all games as administrator safely?
Yes, but only games from trusted sources. Running unknown programs as administrator can be risky.

3. Do I need to adjust UAC for every game?
No. Setting the .exe or launcher to always run as administrator applies each time you launch it.

4. Does Steam need admin rights for all games?
Not all, but some games require it to access certain system files or install updates.

5. Can I combine administrator mode with full-screen optimization?
Yes. Both options are available under the Compatibility tab in the game’s properties.