How to run system as an administrator

Question

I am trying to install a program that came with my Dell USB Slim DVD Drive, and the system blocks it from running, telling me to contact administrator.

Answer 1

Hi,

If it's an application, right-click and select Properties > see if there's an "unlock" option.

If it's on a DVD, copy the files to a folder, hold down Ctrl+Shift, right-click, select "run as another user," and try to start the application.

If possible, take a screenshot of the error.

Check if you're not in Windows S mode in the Start menu > Settings > System > Activation; see if it's set to Windows 10/11 S.

Thanks

Answer 2

To install the program from the Dell USB Slim DVD Drive when Windows says to contact the administrator, use an account with administrator rights and run the installer with elevated permissions.

1. Confirm that the current account has administrator rights:
   • Open the Date and Time settings dialog (for example, by running timedate.cpl).
   • Try to change the date and time.
   • If a User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears and does not ask for another user’s password, the account already has administrator rights. If it asks for a password for another account, the current account is not an administrator and an administrator account is required to continue.
2. Run the installer as administrator from the disc:
   • Insert the disc from the Dell USB Slim DVD Drive.
   • If setup does not start automatically, open File Explorer, go to the DVD drive, and locate the setup file (typically Setup.exe or Install.exe).
   • Right‑click the setup file and select Run as administrator.
   • If prompted by UAC with “Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?”, choose Yes.
   • If Windows asks for an administrator username and password, enter the credentials of an administrator account.
3. If logged on as a standard user but an administrator account exists:
   • Locate the setup file on the disc.
   • Press and hold Shift, right‑click the setup file, and select Run as different user.
   • Enter the administrator account name and password, then select OK to run the installer with administrative rights.

If no administrator account or password is available, an administrator for the device must sign in or provide credentials to complete the installation.

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References:

• How to install programs from a disc
• How to troubleshoot Windows Installer errors
• How to use Run as to start an application as an administrator account
• PowerToys running with administrator permissions