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2 Ways to Install Windows Apps if You're Not an Administrator Download Article Easy ways to install programs without administrative access Co-authored by Stan Kats and Nicole Levine, MFA
Last Updated: December 18, 2025 References
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Using a Batch File
|
Using the Microsoft Store
|
Tips
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Warnings
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Stan Kats is the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology & cybersecurity solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan has over 7 years of cybersecurity experience, holding senior positions in information security at General Motors, AIG, and Aramark over his career. Stan received a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 398,930 times.
Do you want to install software like games, social media apps, Steam, and others on a computer but don't have admin rights? If an administrator controls your laptop or desktop PC and hasn't made you an admin, you can't install or modify most software unless you get it from the Microsoft Store.[1]X Expert Source Stan KatsCybersecurity ExpertExpert Interview However, you may be able to install some blocked programs without admin rights using a batch script. This wikiHow article will show you how to install software without admin privileges on Windows. Keep in mind that this only works for some programs.
Things You Should Know
The best way to install software without admin privileges is to use the Microsoft Store app.
If you're not using the latest versions of Windows, you may be able to install software without admin privileges by running a simple batch script.
Even with a batch script, many programs cannot be installed unless you have administrator privileges.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 2:
Using a Batch File
Download Article
1 Download the app you want to install. If you're using an older version of Windows, you may be able to install software without admin privileges by writing an easy batch script. Begin by downloading the installer to your PC.
This method will not work for all software, although it will work for Steam and a variety of other apps.
This workaround has been patched in Windows 11 and recent versions of Windows 10.
If your administrator has blocked you from running batch files, you won't be able to use this method. Administrators may block batch files on school computers, but you usually won't have trouble if you're using a computer at work or home.
2 Drag the installer to your "Documents" folder. If the installer is contained in a ZIP file, you can unzip the file once you move it to your Documents folder. Advertisement
3 Create a new folder for the installer and other related files. Make this new folder inside of your Documents folder. To create a new folder in Documents:[2]XResearch source
Open the Documents folder.
Click New Folder (Windows 10) or + New > Folder (Windows 11).
Name the folder anything you want and press Enter.
4 Move the installer you downloaded into the new folder. You can drag the installer to the new folder, or copy and paste it into the new location.
5 Create a text file in the new folder. To do this, right-click a blank area of the new folder, click New, and then click Text Document.
6 Name the document anything you want and press Enter. This will not impact the installation process.
7 Type this into the text document after you open it. This will create a batch file that can install software without admin permissions.[3]XResearch source
On the first line, type set __COMPAT_LAYER=RunAsInvoker. There are two underscores (__) before "COMPAT." Then, press enter to start a new line.
On the new line, type or paste start (the exact name of the installer including the file extension). For example, start Firefox Installer.exe. Make sure the file name is exactly as you see it in the new folder.
If you don't see a file extension at the end of the installer name, you can leave that part out of your batch file.
8 Save the file as a .bat file. Click the File menu and select Save As. Then:[4]XResearch source
Set the encoding of the file to ANSI in the drop-down menu at the bottom.
From the "Save as type" menu, select All Files.
Type a name for the file that ends with ".bat." For example, installer.bat.
Click Save to save the file.
9 Double-click the batch file to install the program. It's the file ending with ".bat." If this workaround will work for the software you want to install, the installer will launch and walk you through the installation process without the need for admin rights.
If you're prompted to enter an administrator password, you'll know your administrator doesn't allow you to run batch files.
When prompted to choose a folder to install the program in, be sure to choose the new folder you created inside of your Documents folder. If you select a different folder, the installation will fail.
If a message pops up saying, "Windows cannot find (name of software)," make sure you've typed the name correctly, then try again.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install the software.
If you see an error, this method won't work for you.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 2:
Using the Microsoft Store
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1 Open the Microsoft Store on your Windows PC. You should find a Microsoft Store icon in your Start menu. If you don't see it, search for store in the Windows search bar and click Microsoft Store in the search results.[5]X Trustworthy Source Microsoft SupportTechnical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source
You can use the Microsoft Store in Windows 10 and 11 to install many apps without admin privileges.
Not all software is available in the Microsoft Store.
2 Search for the program you want to download. Type the name of the program or game into the search bar at the top, then press Enter.[6]X Trustworthy Source Microsoft SupportTechnical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source
If you don't see the software you're looking for, you can also browse the Microsoft Store by category to look for similar programs.
3 Select a program and click Get. If you're already signed in with your Microsoft account, the program or game will begin to download. If not, you'll need to sign in with your Microsoft account to start the download.[7]X Trustworthy Source Microsoft SupportTechnical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source
Once the program is installed, you'll find it in your Windows menu.
You will not be asked to log in as an admin to install the program.
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Expert Q&A
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Tips
If you are an administrator and want to allow your users to install software without your approval, you'll need to give the user admin rights on the computer. If you're using Azure AD, you can use the command net localgroup administrators /add "AzureAD\UserUpn" (if the user was created in Azure), or net localgroup administrators /add "Contoso\username" (if the user was synced from AD).[8]XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If the program you want to use is available as a "portable" version, you can download the file and run it without having to install it. For example, you can get a portable version of LibreOffice from https://www.libreoffice.org/download/portable-versions, and a portable GIMP from https://gimp-portable.com. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Warnings
Do not try to bypass admin rights on a work computer. If you try to download banned software on a work laptop, you could get into trouble Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
Do not try to do this to bypass admin rights on a school computer. If you try to download inappropriate or banned software on a school laptop, you could get in trouble. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 47
Remember kids, this is only for personal use Windows, not for a managed Windows PC for work or school. If you try to bypass, you could get into big trouble Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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References
↑ Stan Kats. Cybersecurity Expert. Expert Interview
Co-authored by: Stan Kats Cybersecurity Expert This article was co-authored by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Stan Kats is the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology & cybersecurity solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan has over 7 years of cybersecurity experience, holding senior positions in information security at General Motors, AIG, and Aramark over his career. Stan received a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. This article has been viewed 398,930 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 10Updated: December 18, 2025 Views: 398,930 Categories: Windows In other languages Indonesian Chinese French Korean Portuguese Italian Dutch Spanish Czech Japanese
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Download Article Easy ways to install programs without administrative access Co-authored by Stan Kats and Nicole Levine, MFA 
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Co-authored by: Stan Kats Cybersecurity Expert This article was co-authored by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Stan Kats is the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology & cybersecurity solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan has over 7 years of cybersecurity experience, holding senior positions in information security at General Motors, AIG, and Aramark over his career. Stan received a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. This article has been viewed 398,930 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 10 Updated: December 18, 2025 Views: 398,930 Categories: Windows In other languages Indonesian Chinese French Korean Portuguese Italian Dutch Spanish Czech Japanese 
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1 Download the app you want to install. If you're using an older version of Windows, you may be able to install software without admin privileges by writing an easy batch script. Begin by downloading the installer to your PC. 
2 Drag the installer to your "Documents" folder. If the installer is contained in a ZIP file, you can unzip the file once you move it to your Documents folder. Advertisement 
3 Create a new folder for the installer and other related files. Make this new folder inside of your Documents folder. To create a new folder in Documents:[2] 
4 Move the installer you downloaded into the new folder. You can drag the installer to the new folder, or copy and paste it into the new location. 
5 Create a text file in the new folder. To do this, right-click a blank area of the new folder, click New, and then click Text Document. 
6 Name the document anything you want and press Enter. This will not impact the installation process. 
7 Type this into the text document after you open it. This will create a batch file that can install software without admin permissions.[3] 
8 Save the file as a .bat file. Click the File menu and select Save As. Then:[4] 
9 Double-click the batch file to install the program. It's the file ending with ".bat." If this workaround will work for the software you want to install, the installer will launch and walk you through the installation process without the need for admin rights. 
1 Open the Microsoft Store on your Windows PC. You should find a Microsoft Store icon in your Start menu. If you don't see it, search for store in the Windows search bar and click Microsoft Store in the search results.[5] 
2 Search for the program you want to download. Type the name of the program or game into the search bar at the top, then press Enter.[6] 
3 Select a program and click Get. If you're already signed in with your Microsoft account, the program or game will begin to download. If not, you'll need to sign in with your Microsoft account to start the download.[7]