How to Install Programs Without an Administrator Password

Today's computers have a safety measure built in. They generally can be set up to require admin password to install programs. Windows 10 and Mac OS both allow you to set this up. This can help prevent accidental downloads of viruses. Experts recommend, even on your personal computer, setting up a separate account for everyday use and isolating your admin account to downloads only. But if you're dealing with trying to download a game from Steam with no install rights, for instance, you'll likely get frustrated.

Don't assume that you can't install a program without admin rights. In truth, you may find you actually can. In the case of Steam no install rights, for instance, you'll get a pop-up box asking if you want to install as an administrator on Windows. With Steam games and other instances where you want to install software without admin rights, though, you may have to take a few extra steps to get the program to run once downloaded. You'll simply navigate to the directory where it was installed, right-click on the exe file, and choose "Properties." Select the "Compatibility" tab and check the box that reads "Run this program as an administrator."

Even if apps require an admin password to install programs, Windows 10 can throw up a box that may allow you to install it anyway. If you want to install software without admin rights, when the installation program asks you whether you want to install for only your login or for all users, choose "Only for me." This may get you around the problem of needing an administrator password for installation.

If your administrator is on board with you installing programs, you can ask that your standard account be converted to admin level for programs that require an admin password to install on Windows 10. This likely won't work if you're at the office and trying to run personal apps like games on Steam. No install rights may be necessary for the applications you use for work every day, but if you're running into something that's getting in the way of doing your job, your IT department will likely be on board. To upgrade your account to administrative privileges, on Windows, go to the "Start" menu, then right-click on "Command Prompt" and choose "Run as Administrator." From there, you'll type the command between quotes and hit "Enter": "net localgroup Administrators /add." You'll then be able to run the program as administrator, but you'll need your administrator's help with inputting his own username where "myname" is written in the above command.