What is File Explorer?
File Explorer, often known as Windows Explorer or Explorer, is a file and folder browser that is included with all Windows editions, including Windows 11. File Explorer is a program that allows you to navigate your computer’s internal and external hard drives, folders, and all kinds of files. When you use File Explorer in Windows, the permissions are set to medium or normal by default. File Explorer, on the other hand, opens with full privileges when you log in to Windows as an administrator. However, most Windows users do not utilise an administrator account to connect to their computers. File Explorer is the most basic application on the Windows operating system for managing files and directories. This aids in the organisation of your system’s files and directories. With the release of Windows 95, Microsoft introduced File Explorer. Some of the folders may contain apps or files that require administrator privileges to open. As a result, it is preferable to use File Explorer as an administrator so that you can readily access specific files.
Why do I run File Explorer as Administrator?
To fix an issue that arises within a document, you may need to launch File Explorer as an administrator. You may need to view a system file as an administrator for troubleshooting purposes. Other causes could include the need to make a significant change to a system file or something less serious, such as saving a file to a secure location. On Windows 11, File Explorer will run with the least amount of privileges. You can do it yourself if you don’t want to rely on a system administrator to provide you with enhanced File Explorer permissions. Even if you click on explorer.exe and choose to run as administrator, the app rights will revert to default. File Explorer even bypasses User Account Control (UAC) and runs with the bare minimum of permissions. However, there are a few options for running File Explorer with elevated access.
How to Run File Explorer as Administrator in Windows 11
On Windows 11, there are four ways to run File Explorer as Administrator. These methods are described in detail below.
1. Using Run Box
Step 1: To begin with, open the Run dialogue box using the Windows + R keys. Step 2: Then, in the run box, type C:Windowsexplorer.exe and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter on your keyboard to start File Explorer as administrator. On your Windows 11 system, this will run the File Explorer with administrative features.
2. Using Task Manager
Task Manager is another technique to execute File Explorer as Administrator in Windows 11. Step 1: On the taskbar, right-click the Start button. Step 2: Next, from the context menu, select Task Manager as shown below. Step 3: From the top menu bar, choose File and then select Run new task from the list, as shown below. Step 4: In the Create new task pop-up window, type explorer.exe. Step 5: As seen in the screenshot below, check the Create this task with administrative access checkbox and then click OK. Viola! This will open the file explorer as administrator on Windows 11.
3. Using File Explorer
To run File Explorer as an administrator from within File Explorer, follow the steps below: Step 1: To open File Explorer on your computer, press the Windows + E keys together on your keyboard. Step 2: Next, go to the C drive and open the Windows folder. Alternatively, In the address box, type C: Windows and press the Enter key. Step 3: Locate the explorer.exe file in the Windows folder and right-click it. Step 4: From the context menu, select Run as administrator. You can now look for any program or file you like to access with File Explorer running with elevated rights. Make sure the file or folder you’re looking for isn’t hidden, though.
Making File Changes in Windows 11
Even if you run Windows 11 File Explorer as administrator, it’s vital to note that File Explorer can run numerous instances of itself. Only that instance will have higher rights when you run it with admin rights. Other instances are already up and running with default permissions. While using the procedures mentioned above to run the File Explorer with admin permissions is uncommon, it is doable. If you’re using a basic user account, you’ll need to input the admin username and password to finish the process. File Explorer works great on Windows 11 even without admin rights, but if it stops working, troubleshooting it should be simple. There are further options for customising File Explorer, such as opening it from This PC rather than Quick Access.
