How to fix
Error 740 “Elevated permissions are required to run DISM”
on Windows

I had some problems with my PC so I was advised to run DISM commands on Command Prompt. However, when I tried doing so, I received the following error: "Error 704 Elevated permissions are required to run DISM. Use an elevated command prompt to complete these tasks." I thought my account was set to administrator. I am very confused.

"Error 740: Elevated permissions are required to run DISM" is a common issue encountered by Windows users when attempting to execute the Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM) without the necessary administrative privileges. This error often occurs even when the user believes they are running an administrator account.

DISM is a powerful command-line tool in Windows used for various maintenance tasks, including system repairs and updates. Due to its capability to make significant system changes, running DISM requires elevated permissions, meaning it must be executed with administrative rights to function properly.

The error message appears because the User Account Control (UAC) system in Windows blocks the execution of commands that require higher privileges if not explicitly granted. This is a security feature designed to prevent unauthorized changes to the operating system. Users often encounter this issue because they do not run the Command Prompt with elevated rights, even if they are logged in with an administrator account.

Common causes and potential solutions

The primary cause of "Error 740" is attempting to run DISM commands without the necessary elevated permissions. Even users with administrator accounts need to ensure they explicitly run the Command Prompt as an administrator. Simply being logged into an administrator account is not sufficient; the Command Prompt itself must be opened with administrative privileges to execute DISM commands successfully.

To fix the "Error 740: Elevated permissions are required to run DISM," you can try to run Command Prompt as Administrator, update Windows, Change account type to administrator, create a new user account, enable administrator in Safe Mode, or reset Windows.

If the issues are more complex, we also recommend running a scan with a powerful PC repair tool [d1], which can automatically find and repair damaged system files on Windows.

Fix 1. Run Command Prompt as administrator

For the first solution, try simply running Command Prompt as administrator, and attempt to employ the scannow command first.

• Type cmd in Windows search.
• Right-click on Command Prompt and pick Run as administrator.
• When User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
• Use the following command lines, pressing Enter after each:
  sfc /scannow
• The System File Checker will now scan your system for any corrupted or missing files and try to repair them.
• After the scan is done, copy the following commands and press Enter:
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
• When completed, restart your device.

Fix 2. Update windows

• Type Updates in the Windows search box and press Enter.
• Click Check for Updates or Install all.
• Ensure optional and pending updates are installed as well.
• Wait till the process is finished.
• Restart your device.

Fix 3. Change account type to admin

• Right-click on Start and pick Settings.
• Go to Accounts.
• Select Family & other users.
• Click on the account you want to change.
• Under Account options, click Change account type.
• When UAC asks whether you want to allow changes, click Yes.
• Choose Administrator from the dropdown menu.
• Click Ok.

Fix 4. Create a new user account

• Open Windows Settings.
• Go to Accounts then Family/Family & other users.
• Under Other users, click Add account/Add someone else to this PC.
• Follow the prompts to create a new user account. If you don't have Microsoft account details, you can choose I don't have this person's sign-in information followed by Add a user without a Microsoft account.
• Assign a username and password for the new account and complete the setup.
• Then go back to the Accounts section. Under Family/Family & other users, select the newly created account and click Change account type.
• Under Account type, pick Administrator and click OK.

Fix 5. Enable admin in Safe Mode

• Open Windows Settings.
• Select System.
• Under Recovery options, next to Advanced Startup, click Restart now.
• After a reboot, you will be presented with several options - pick Troubleshoot.
• Go to Advanced options > Startup Settings and then pick Restart.
• After a reboot, pick either 4/F4 for Safe Mode or 5/F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
• Once in Safe Mode, open Command Prompt.
• Type in the following command, and press Enter:
  net user administrator /active:yes
• Close down Command Prompt and restart the system to normal mode.

Fix 6. Reset Windows

Some users said they managed to fix the "Elevated permissions are required to run DISM" error by resetting Windows. Here's how:

• Click on Start and pick Settings.
• Go to Windows Update/Update & Security.
• Select Advanced options.
• Under Additional options, select Recovery.
• Under Recovery options, click Reset PC.
• Select the option to Keep your files and then press Cloud download.
• Follow on-screen instructions to finish the process.