Windows: Run a program on next reboot only, with admin rights and without logging in

Have you ever needed to run a program on your Windows computer, but only on the next reboot? Maybe you need to install a software update or perform a system maintenance task that requires administrative rights. Or perhaps you want to run a program without logging into your user account. Whatever the reason, Windows provides a solution for this. In this article, we will guide you through the process of running a program with admin rights on the next reboot without logging in.

Using Task Scheduler

Task Scheduler is a built-in Windows utility that allows you to schedule tasks to run automatically at specific times or events. We can utilize this tool to run a program with admin rights on the next reboot.

1. Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type taskschd.msc and press Enter. This will open the Task Scheduler.
3. In the Task Scheduler window, click on "Create Basic Task" in the right-hand pane.
4. Give your task a name and a description, then click Next.
5. Choose "When the computer starts" as the trigger for your task and click Next.
6. Select "Start a program" as the action and click Next.
7. Click the "Browse" button and navigate to the location of the program you want to run. Select the program and click Open.
8. In the "Add arguments" field, enter any command line arguments or options required by the program. If you don't have any, leave it blank.
9. Check the box that says "Run with highest privileges" to ensure the program runs with admin rights.
10. Click Next and then Finish to create the task.

That's it! You have successfully scheduled a task to run a program with admin rights on the next reboot. The program will execute automatically without the need for you to log in.

Verifying the Task

If you want to verify that the task has been created correctly, follow these steps:

1. Open the Task Scheduler again by pressing Win + R and typing taskschd.msc.
2. In the Task Scheduler window, expand the "Task Scheduler Library" in the left-hand pane.
3. Locate the task you created and click on it to display its details.
4. Check the "Triggers" tab to ensure the trigger is set to "At startup".
5. Check the "Actions" tab to verify the program and its arguments.
6. If everything looks correct, you can be confident that the task is set up properly.

Running a program with admin rights on the next reboot without logging in can be useful in various scenarios. Whether you need to perform system maintenance or automate a task, Windows Task Scheduler provides a simple solution. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily schedule a program to run with admin rights on the next reboot. Remember to double-check the task details in the Task Scheduler to ensure everything is set up correctly.