If a Windows program doesn’t have the rights to access a file, Registry key, or carry out some other task, running it as an administrator might solve the problem – but this won’t always be the case.

RunAsTrustedInstaller runs programs with the same privileges as TrustedInstaller, an even more powerful account, giving you extra control over many system objects.

Downloading the program can be tricky, because some antivirus engines may flag it as malware, but that’s only because RunAsTI could theoretically be used by hackers for malicious purposes. It’s not dangerous itself.

Unzip the download and you’ll see two executables, RunAsTI.exe (32-bit) and RunAsTI.exe (64-bit). Double-click one of these and it opens a command window with TrustedInstaller rights.

To check this for yourself, run a copy of Process Explorer, double-click on the extra-privileged cmd.exe and choose the Security tab. The account list should include NT SERVICE\TrustedInstaller as an Owner.

Copy, rename, move or delete even key Windows system files– if you’re sure that’s a good idea

Launch a program from your console – REGEDIT, say – and it inherits the same privileges.

Alternatively, use a script or shortcut to pass RunAsTI a program name (RunAsTI64 regedit) and it’ll launch an elevated version directly.

Whatever you’re doing, be careful. There’s usually a good reason why Windows doesn’t allow you to delete or change particular system files and folders, and bypassing that protection could easily result in a trashed PC.

RunAsTrustedInstaller is an open source application for Windows 7 and later.