If you're attempting to run a program on Windows 10 and encounter an error message stating, "Administrator has blocked you from running this app," this is probably due to an oversight on your part. This error message can stem from various causes, such as installing applications without administrative privileges or neglecting to enter your password when prompted.

Regardless of the reason, there are several solutions to bypass this error in Windows 10.

5 Solutions to Fix: "Administrator Has Blocked You from Running This App" Error in Windows 10

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Method 1: Temporarily disable your antivirus program

If you have any third-party antivirus software installed, disable it temporarily. If that doesn't resolve the issue, you'll need to uninstall the antivirus program and reinstall it following the registry modifications.

Regardless of whether you use Windows Defender or a third-party antivirus program, the steps outlined below will be helpful.

Step 1. Open the Task Manager by pressing ALT + SHIFT + ESC on your keyboard.

Step 2. Go to the Startup section.

Step 3. In the list, locate your antivirus program, right-click it, and choose "Disable."

select disable

Method 2: Install the app using the hidden administrator account

If your administrator account has been blocked by Windows 10, you can still install the app using another concealed administrator account. Follow these steps: 1. **Enable Hidden Administrator Account:** - Press `Win + X` and choose 'Command Prompt (Admin)' or 'Windows PowerShell (Admin)'. - In the command prompt, type `net user Administrator /active:yes` and press Enter. This will activate the built-in Administrator account. 2. **Log Out and Switch Accounts:** - Close the Command Prompt. - Click on the user icon in the login screen or press `Win + L` to access the sign-in options. - Choose the "Other User" option and type "Administrator" as the username. Leave the password field blank if you haven't set one before. 3. **Install the App:** - Log in to the Administrator account. - Now, proceed with the installation of the desired application as you normally would, with elevated privileges since you're logged in as an administrator. 4. **Disable Hidden Administrator Account:** - Once the app is installed, log out from the Administrator account. - Open another Command Prompt as an administrator. - Type `net user Administrator /active:no` and press Enter to deactivate the hidden Administrator account for security reasons. 5. **Return to Your Account:** - Log back into your original account, and the newly installed app should be accessible. Remember that using the hidden Administrator account regularly is not recommended due to security concerns. It's best to unblock your main administrator account instead, if possible.

Step 1. To launch the Start menu, press the Windows logo key and type 'Command Prompt' (cmd.exe) into the Search bar.

Step 2. Use the command prompt to run "net user administrator /active: yes." If you see the message "The command completed successfully," the method was successful.

run net user administrator

Step 3. Log out of the current user account and enter the new administrator account. You should be able to run the software from this point.

Step 4. Log back into your local user account and run the command `net user administrator /active: no` to disable the hidden administrator account.

Further Reading: Bypass Admin Password Windows 10

Method 3: Change the Group Policy

You can utilize Group Policy to make modifications to your computer that aren't available through other means. Primarily, Group Policy serves as a security tool for enforcing security settings on both users and computers.

One of these changes can be made to the User Account Control (UAC) to allow apps to bypass the administrator verification.

The following steps will assist you in resolving the error:

Step 1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2. Type "gpedit.msc" in the Run dialog box and press ENTER.

Step 3. Expand Computer Configuration, Windows Settings, and then Security Settings.

Step 4. Select "Security Options." Click on it, don't try to expand it.

Step 5. Double-click "User Account Control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode" at the bottom.

select local account option

Step 6. Select "Disable," then click Apply and OK.

Method 4: Execute the file via Command Prompt

Most of the time, the error occurs when attempting to open a file or folder. This is because certain programs need administrative privileges to operate. If you lack these permissions, executing the file through the Command Prompt can assist you in resolving the error within the next 5 minutes.

The Windows operating system includes a built-in feature known as User Account Control (UAC) that enables you to run applications from unidentified or untrusted sources.

If you're attempting to install a program on your computer, follow the steps to enable the User Account Control (UAC) program.

To follow the instructions accurately, please adhere to the steps outlined below.

Step 1. Find the app causing the error, right-click on it, and choose Open file location.

Step 2. Right-click the file and select Properties.

Step 3. Copy the texts under "Location" in the "General" tab. First, close the Properties window.

Step 4. Search for "cmd" in the Start menu, then choose "Run as Administrator" from the options on the right.

Go to Command Prompt

Step 5. Paste the text from step 3 into the command prompt, then minimize the command prompt.

Open Administrator Command Prompt

Step 6. Go back to the Properties window that you opened in Step 1 and copy the file name.

Step 7. Enlarge the Command Prompt window, add a "\" before the text you pasted in Step 4, and then paste it into the file name, as shown in the screenshot below.

Step 8. Finally, press ENTER to start the app.

Method 5: Disable Windows SmartScreen Windows SmartScreen is a built-in security feature in Microsoft Windows that helps protect users from potentially malicious software. If you prefer to disable it, follow these steps: 1. Press the Windows key + I to open Settings. 2. Click on 'Update & Security' from the list of options. 3. In the left pane, select 'Windows Security.' 4. On the right side, click on 'Virus & threat protection.' 5. Under the 'Virus & threat protection settings' section, click on 'Manage settings.' 6. Scroll down to find the 'SmartScreen settings' section. 7. For Windows 10: - Next to 'Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for apps and files,' toggle the switch to the Off position. - Next to 'Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge,' if you're still using the legacy version of Edge, toggle that switch to Off as well. If you're using the new Chromium-based Edge, this setting will be under 'App and browser control' and you should toggle 'Reputation-based protection' to Off. For Windows 11: - Next to 'App & browser control,' click on 'Reputation-based protection settings.' - Under 'Execute control,' toggle 'Turn on reputation-based protection' to Off. - Under 'Downloaded files and apps,' toggle 'Turn on reputation-based protection' to Off. 8. After disabling the respective settings, confirm any prompts that appear. 9. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Please note that disabling Windows SmartScreen may expose your system to potential risks. It's recommended to keep it enabled for enhanced security.

Windows SmartScreen is an incredibly helpful feature that safeguards your PC from malicious applications and files. However, it might occasionally prevent you from running specific apps or files to assure your safety.

If you still want to run the app, follow these steps:

Step 1. Find the file you want to run or install, right-click it, and select Properties.

Step 2. Check the box next to "Unblock."

Step 3. We have marked this file as safe, so it should pass through SmartScreen.

Step 4. Try running the file now.

choose apply

If the issue persists, try temporarily disabling Windows SmartScreen to run the file. Don't forget to re-enable it afterwards, otherwise your Windows PC could be vulnerable to malware attacks.

Step 1. Search for "Windows Defender Security Center" or right-click on the shield icon located in the right section of your taskbar and choose "Open."

Step 2. Click on the right-hand menu to expand it, then choose "App and browser control."

Step 3. Locate and disable the "Scan apps and files" section.

Step 4. Now try running the file.

Upon completing the installation or execution of a file, reactivate Windows SmartScreen by following the steps above once more, but instead, click on "Block" within the "Check apps and files" section.

Conclusion

Running an app for the first time on Windows 10 can be a daunting task, given the security precautions in place. While desktops often have several trusted applications running, it's crucial to ensure protection. This article likely assisted you in bypassing this security constraint, enabling you to run any application smoothly, even without administrative privileges.

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