How to Configure Windows to Allow Run As Administrator for a MSI

When you need to install a program as an administrator, you can right click on the .exe file and select Run As Administrator, But Run As Administrator is not an available right click option for MSI packages.

Install As Administrator right click option can be configured by making a registry change to Windows 7/8/8.1/10.


  • Open Regedit
  • Navigate to the Registry Key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Msi.Package\shell
  • Right click on the Registry Key shell
  • Click NEW
  • Click KEY
  • A new sub-key is added under Shell with the default name New Key #1
  • Rename New Key #1 to Runas
  • In the right side pane, right click on Default Value
  • Click Modify
  • In the Edit String dialog box under Value Data, enter Install as &administrator
  • Click OK
  • Right click the Runas key 
  • Click NEW
  • Click KEY
  • A new sub-key is added under Runas
  • Rename the sub-key to Command
  • Click the Command subkey
  • In the right side pane, right click on Default Value
  • Click Modify
  • In the Edit String dialog box under Value Data, enter msiexec /i “%1”
  • Click OK

  • Close the Registry Editor


Now, when right clicking an MSI installation package file, an option Install as Administrator will be available.
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