Runas question

[Guest]

Hi,

To keep my computer as secure as possible, I use my computer as a regular
user w/ no admin rights. However, some applications require me to have admin
rights to function properly.

Is there a way for me to create a shortcut to the application using Runas w/
all user and password in the shortcut so that I don't have to do a runas
manually everytime I want to use the application.

 

[Bill James]

If you are using XP Pro you can save the password, in XP Home that is not so. Create a shortcut using this syntax:

runas /savecred /user:username program

Of course, substitute the account name of the administrator account, and the name of the actual program. You will get a prompt for the password the first time you use the shortcut, but not after that. Or, maybe easier, take an existing program shortcut, right click and select properties, then insert the first part of the command (runas /savecred /user:username ) in front of the existing information in the "Target" box (be sure to leave a space). The drawback is you are going to lose the normal program icon, since the program you are actually running now is runas.exe and it has no icons. You can use the Change Icon button to fix that -- usually if you browse to the actual program you are running and select the primary .exe file for it, you will find the icon you are used to seeing.

--

Bill James
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User

Windows VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/

 

[Guest]

Thanks Bill. This is exactly what I was looking for. I really appreciate your
response.

Doing so, I'm only running this particular application with Admin privileges
so this wouldn't weaken my security policy, correct?

My main concern is spyware that just sneak up on you and install themselves
w/o your knowledge. By taking away, my admin rights, I can't install
programs, even if I wanted to.

Just want to make sure that this will not weaken my security policy. Thanks,

Sam

If you are using XP Pro you can save the password, in XP Home that is not so. Create a shortcut using this syntax:

runas /savecred /user:username program

Of course, substitute the account name of the administrator account, and the name of the actual program. You will get a prompt for the password the first time you use the shortcut, but not after that. Or, maybe easier, take an existing program shortcut, right click and select properties, then insert the first part of the command (runas /savecred /user:username ) in front of the existing information in the "Target" box (be sure to leave a space). The drawback is you are going to lose the normal program icon, since the program you are actually running now is runas.exe and it has no icons. You can use the Change Icon button to fix that -- usually if you browse to the actual program you are running and select the primary .exe file for it, you will find the icon you are used to seeing.

--

Bill James
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User

Windows VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/

 

[Kelly]

Hi Sam,

Use as an example:

For Pro:

You can use the /savecred option to save it the first time the password is
entered and you dont need to enter it from then on.

You add the switch to the shortcut target. Right-click the shortcut and
select Properties, then the Shortcut tab. Edit the target line.

For example, this is the line to run Nero from a limited account:

%systemroot%\system32\runas.exe /user:computername\admin
/savecred "D:\Program Files\ahead\Nero\nero.exe"

The first time you run it, enter the password. After that it won't ask for
one again.

HOW TO: Enable and Use the "Run As" Command When Running Program
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q294/6/76.asp

--
Happy Holidays,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Bill James]

It should have no effect on security, other than the fact that anyone who can log into your user account can run that program.

--

Bill James
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User

Windows VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/

Thanks Bill. This is exactly what I was looking for. I really appreciate your
response.

Doing so, I'm only running this particular application with Admin privileges
so this wouldn't weaken my security policy, correct?

My main concern is spyware that just sneak up on you and install themselves
w/o your knowledge. By taking away, my admin rights, I can't install
programs, even if I wanted to.

Just want to make sure that this will not weaken my security policy. Thanks,

Sam

 

[Kelly]

Meow! )

--
Happy Holidays,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com


It should have no effect on security, other than the fact that anyone who
can log into your user account can run that program.

--

Bill James
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User

Windows VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/

Thanks Bill. This is exactly what I was looking for. I really appreciate
your
response.

Doing so, I'm only running this particular application with Admin
privileges
so this wouldn't weaken my security policy, correct?

My main concern is spyware that just sneak up on you and install
themselves
w/o your knowledge. By taking away, my admin rights, I can't install
programs, even if I wanted to.

Just want to make sure that this will not weaken my security policy.
Thanks,

Sam

 

[Guest]

Thanks guys... Your help is much appreciated.

Sam

Thanks Bill. This is exactly what I was looking for. I really appreciate your
response.

Doing so, I'm only running this particular application with Admin privileges
so this wouldn't weaken my security policy, correct?

My main concern is spyware that just sneak up on you and install themselves
w/o your knowledge. By taking away, my admin rights, I can't install
programs, even if I wanted to.

Just want to make sure that this will not weaken my security policy. Thanks,

Sam