Sudo for Windows vs Runas: What Are the Differences

Windows sudo and runas commands: In-depth comparison

This article will explore in-depth the differences between sudo and runas command line tools in Windows systems, helping you better understand and choose the right tool.

What are sudo and runas for Windows?

sudo for Windows

sudo for Windows is a new tool that allows Windows users to run elevated commands as administrators directly in non-elevated console sessions. This means you don't need to open a new elevated console first to increase command permissions.

sudo for Windows is a new feature of Windows 11 and not all Windows 11 versions are currently available. sudo for Windows command is supported only on computers running Windows 11 Insider Build 26052 or later.

• Learn how to join the Windows Insider program.
• Learn how to check for updates on Windows 11.

runas for Windows

runas is a command line tool built into Windows Vista and later Windows systems. Users can use it to run specific tools and programs with permissions that are different from the current logged-in user's permissions.

runas has a long history and mature functions, and many users are familiar with it.

Some users think the two command line tools are the same, but this is not the case. So, how is sudo and runas different from Windows? Read on to learn about sudo for Windows and runas comparison.

sudo and runas for Windows: What is the difference?

This section will introduce the difference between sudo and runas for Windows.

Improve user permissions

• sudo for Windows: allows rapid elevation of command permissions to administrators from non-elevated command line environments.
• runas : allows running programs as any user , including administrators, providing flexibility in user permission management.

Run the program as another user

• Windows sudo : Currently, it does not support running programs as other users, but this is in future development plans.
• runas : supports running programs as other users, including administrators, providing versatility in user context management.

Console interaction

• sudo for Windows: provides the option to promote a process in a new window or connect it to the current console window using specific configuration options.
• runas : Usually running the specified program in a new console window, lacking the option to connect to the current console window.

password hint

• Windows sudo : The user does not prompt the user to enter a password directly on the command line; elevated permissions are usually handled through the User Account Control (UAC) security function.
• runas : The user can be prompted to enter the password on the command line, allowing explicit password entry for authentication.

Improvement mechanism

• sudo for Windows: leverages User Account Control (UAC) security features to improve, providing verification tips to ensure authorization changes.
• runas : Directly execute commands with elevated permissions, without relying on UAC prompts to promote them.

Safety hazards

• Windows sudo : Users should consider security risks when using different configuration options, especially in terms of input processing and console interaction.
• runas : Provides direct elevation permissions, but may require explicit password entry, and the specific security impact depends on how it is used.

suggestion

• sudo for Windows: For most users, it is recommended that the default option forces new windows for promotion unless they are familiar with and accept the risks associated with alternative configuration.
• runas : provides flexibility in user context management, but requires careful consideration of security risks and explicit password processing.

How to enable sudo on Windows 11?

If you are running Windows 11 Insider Build 26052 or later, you can enable sudo on Windows 11 by following the following guidelines:

Step 1. Go to the Start > Settings > Developer page .

Step 2. Turn on the Enable sudo option.

If you are an advanced user, you can also run sudo config –enable<configuration_option></configuration_option> to enable sudo .

Further reading

No matter which version of Windows you are running, you may accidentally encounter data loss issues. To retrieve the lost data, you can try MiniTool Power Data Recovery.

This data recovery tool can restore files that are not overwritten by new data. You can first run MiniTool Power Data Recovery free version to scan your drive and test recovering 1GB of files.

Summarize

After reading this article, you should understand the difference between sudo and runas for Windows. You should use the correct tool to run the commands according to your situation. Additionally, if you encounter any issues related to MiniTool Power Data Recovery, please contact us.

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