How do I install programs if I'm not the administrator of the computer?

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I don't agree with your "frustrating bucket" point. The whole purpose of limited accounts is to restrict access which in general isn't needed (such as writing to system directories like C:\Program Files). Updating MSN Messenger naturally needs to change these files so needs to have write access to that folder.

Admittedly the Windows XP implementation is very poor because you can't log in as an administrator temporarily within your session.

Now what is frustrating is poorly written programs that need administrator access when they shouldn't really need it at all. That just stems from the fact that traditionally every user is an administrator. I very poor policy on Windows' part.

If you're running 2000, XP, or 2003 server; you can use runas, which lets you run a program as a different user whilst staying logged in. http://blogs.msdn.com/aaron_margosis/archive/2004/06/23/163229.aspx

No need to download a "runas" program. Simply right-click the program's icon and select the "run as" choice. I do this all the time on my kids' computers, where the younger ones use a "restricted" account.

If it's on an auto-run CD, you need to go to "my computer", right-click the drive's icon and select "open" (rather than "autorun"), and examine the "autorun.inf" file to see which program to run.

Ken: when you right-click the program and select "run as...", the resulting dialogue calls the runas.exe program that I refer to in my post; that's how it works. Of course there's no need to download it; it's been a part of Windows since Windows 2000.

I agree with Ken and Simon regarding exe's but when the program is a .msi install file you won'nt find the runas option when u right click on the icon.No problem write the runas command to start a command prompt(cmd.exe) remember the command prompt with admin previleges is a powerful tool its true that this command line cannot do a list of simle things.Ok this is the command >runas /env /user:administrator "cmd.exe" if you are in a domain and need domain admin previleges then the command >runas /env /user:mydomain\administrator "cmd.exe" These will open a command line with admin previleges then simply navigate to the .msi file and type >msiexec /i myapplication.msi .That's it its very simple!.Always remember that it is a good practice to use the machine with a restricted user previlege account to avoid attacks from viruses,hackers,malware... .etc.Read this article for more information.It also provides you a solution as to how you should run programs that need an administrator previlege. http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/windows_security_whynot_admin.mspx?mfr=true

I have to tell you, I once tried running in a limited account but it turned out to be more of a hassle than it was worth, I feel if you use due diligence handling downloads(like scanning every file multiple times before trusting it), you've covered your ass pretty good. It seems to me that for a home user to run a limited account is abit paranoid, I don't think I've ever installed a program w/o knowing it...lol

I am a developer that has always used a limited account for everything I don't need Administrator privileges for. I prefer to use the Administrator account to install software since I hope that the software will install for "All Users".

If say one day I log into my windows XP Packg.II,
And I TRY to change my mothers Picture Icon, & Her desktop to another picture; Something she can't do for herself, I am the 'ADMINISTRATOR', BUT........I have NO IDEA HOW I got this 'Frustrating ADMINISTRATOR' Thing Opened in the first place?! HOW Can I Remove Myself as the ADMINISTRATOR?? Please. It's driving me, and Mother CRAZY!!
Thanks,
Kelly S.S.

Its no great shakes in XP to simply switch user and and log in as Administrator to instal the MSI (as I did two minutes ago), log out of Administrator and back to your regular user account.

In answer to Kelly SS, set yourself up as a Poweruser and leave the Administrator account hidden.

how I install Massanger yahoo without administrator installtion

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