Open Devices And Printers As Admin: Quick Administrator Access Guide

That moment when Windows won’t let you modify a printer setting without admin rights is infuriating. I’ve been there—staring at grayed-out options in Devices and Printers, knowing the fix is just one privilege away.

There’s a 30-second workaround that doesn’t require logging out or switching accounts. The Control Panel still hides this access point, but the path is identical across Windows 10 and 11. No special tools, just a right-click in the right place.

You’ll gain full control over printer drivers, port configurations, and device properties. The method works whether you’re on a work PC with restricted access or your own machine. I’ve used this on a dozen different systems without fail.

Works for troubleshooting, driver updates, or just fixing that one stubborn printer your office refuses to replace.

What Youll Need

Step-by-Step Instructions for Opening Devices and Printers as Administrator

Here’s the procedure I follow to get admin-level access without the usual hassle.

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box. This is the fastest way to launch any system utility directly. I always use this method because it bypasses navigation through multiple menus.

Type control printers in the text field and press Enter. This command specifically targets the Devices and Printers control panel applet, which is what you need for administrative access.

Right-click the Start button or press Windows + X and select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin). If you’re using Windows 11, it might say Windows Terminal (Admin).

In the command prompt window, type runas /user:Administrator “control printers” and press Enter. You’ll be prompted for the administrator password. Enter it and press Enter again. This ensures the control panel opens with full admin privileges.

Once the Devices and Printers window opens, look at the title bar. It should display Administrator: Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Devices and Printers. This confirms you have the elevated permissions needed.

If the title bar doesn’t show “Administrator,” close the window and repeat Step 2. Sometimes the command needs to be run twice to take effect, especially if User Account Control (UAC) is interfering.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Click File in the top-left corner, then select Run new task. Check the box for Create this task with administrative privileges.

Type control printers in the input field and click OK. This method is useful if the Run dialog or command prompt methods don’t work for any reason. The Devices and Printers window should now open with admin rights.

In the Devices and Printers window, right-click any printer icon. If you see options like Printer properties and Remove device without any UAC prompts, you have full administrative access.

Try adding or removing a printer to test your access level. If you can complete these actions without additional permission prompts, the process worked. This is the quickest way to verify everything is set up correctly.

Tips and Common Mistakes for Perfect Administrator Access

These practical insights will help you navigate the process smoothly and avoid common pitfalls.

Keyboard Shortcut Efficiency: In Step 1, using Windows + R is indeed the fastest method, but ensure you type control printers accurately—typos here will just open an error dialog. I’ve wasted minutes retyping this command after a single letter slip.

Command Prompt Precision: For Step 2, when using runas /user:Administrator “control printers”, double-check the syntax, especially the quotes around the command. Missing or misplaced quotes will cause the command to fail silently. Trust me on this.

Verification Clarity: In Step 3, the title bar must explicitly show Administrator: Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Devices and Printers. If it doesn’t, don’t assume it worked—UAC can be sneaky, and the window might look identical without admin rights.

Task Manager Alternative: Step 4’s Task Manager method is a lifesaver if the first two steps fail. Remember to check Create this task with administrative privileges before clicking OK—this box is easy to overlook in the heat of troubleshooting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Opening Devices and Printers as admin ensures you have full control over hardware settings and configurations. 🎯 With these steps, you can troubleshoot, install, or manage devices without restrictions. Ready to take charge? Try applying these methods the next time you need elevated access!