How to run a program as administrator or in compatibility mode

Steps written for Windows 11 25H2 and 26H2.

1. 1

   Run the program as administrator once

   Right-click the program in the Start search results, or right-click its shortcut, and select Run as administrator. Select Yes when Windows asks for permission. If the program now works, it only needed administrator rights.

2. 2

   Open the program's properties

   If the program still fails, right-click its shortcut or its .exe file and select Properties.

3. 3

   Open the Compatibility tab

   Select the Compatibility tab. Every setting on this tab applies to this one program only.

   

4. 4

   Turn on compatibility mode

   Select the Run this program in compatibility mode for check box. In the list below it, select the version of Windows the program was made for.

5. 5

   Make it always run as administrator

   Only if step 1 helped: select the Run this program as an administrator check box. Windows will then ask for permission every time the program starts.

6. 6

   Save and test

   Select OK and start the program again. If it does not help, come back to this tab and try another version of Windows in the list.

7. 7

   Run the compatibility troubleshooter

   If no setting helps, open Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Find Program Compatibility Troubleshooter, select Run and follow the instructions on the screen.

Steps written for Windows 10 22H2.

Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025.

1. 1

   Run the program as administrator once

   Right-click the program in the Start search results, or right-click its shortcut, and select Run as administrator. Select Yes when Windows asks for permission. If the program now works, it only needed administrator rights.

2. 2

   Open the program's properties

   If the program still fails, right-click its shortcut or its .exe file and select Properties.

3. 3

   Open the Compatibility tab

   Select the Compatibility tab. Every setting on this tab applies to this one program only.

4. 4

   Turn on compatibility mode

   Select the Run this program in compatibility mode for check box. In the list below it, select the version of Windows the program was made for.

5. 5

   Make it always run as administrator

   Only if step 1 helped: select the Run this program as an administrator check box. Windows will then ask for permission every time the program starts.

6. 6

   Save and test

   Select OK and start the program again. If it does not help, come back to this tab and try another version of Windows in the list.

7. 7

   Run the compatibility troubleshooter

   If no setting helps, open Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot and select Additional troubleshooters. Under Find and fix other problems, select Program Compatibility Troubleshooter, then Run the troubleshooter.