Multiple user accounts can be created on a computer running Windows 10. Each user can log into their own account where it will have its own folder, libraries and desktop.
Normally, users do not need to run applications as different users. The only exception is when an application requires administrator privileges. In this case, a user who wants to run an application as an administrator usually right-clicks on the application and selects "Run as administrator" from the context menu.
But it is not uncommon for an administrator in a company to want to see the behavior of an application when it runs with the rights of a simple user - employee of the company. But also a home user (eg a father) may want to run an application as another user (son or daughter) to see his behavior.
Of course you will think that it is not a big issue. All you have to do is logout and then login with the details of the user you want. Lots of clicks, great hassle. The job can be done much more simply, with just two clicks, as long as you know the features of Windows 10. The option is there, but because it is not needed often, it is not obvious. Let's see how.
The magic Shift key
Step 1: Find the EXE or shortcut in the application you want to run.
Step 2: Hold down the Shift key and right-click on the archive.
The context menu will now have an additional option. "Run as a different user". Select it.
Step 3: From there, follow the known procedure. That is, enter the username and password access for the user.
Make a special shortcut
If you liked the trick, there is another, alternative. Another way to run an application as a different user is to modify an application shortcut.
Step 1: Create a shortcut for the application.
Step 2: Right-click the shortcut and select Properties from the context menu.
Step 3: Go to the Shortcut tab.
Edit the destination field and enter the following. (modify it and give the username for the user you want to run the application).
runas / savecred / user: DOMAIN \ USERNAME "path to executable"
Missing "Run as a different user" option
Most shift applications have "Run as a different user" option in the context menu, but most do not mean all of them. There are exceptions.
Apps that don't have the 'Run as different user' option are apps that don't create a folder and store theirpricetheir files in the user's folder under C:\Users. Likewise, portable apps probably can't be run as a different user since they've never been installed, but it's worth checking if the option is there.
Conclusion
Running applications as a different user allows you to see how the application works, ie what kind of environment it loads and what their settings are for this user. If a user cannot start an application, you can control how the application runs in your own user account, and upload these settings to the other user. It's a fairly simple way to troubleshoot applications.
change username