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We all expect to get the information, files, or data we need the first time we open a folder. Unfortunately, that does not always happen. In some cases, you might get an error message: “The requested operation requires elevation.”

It can be frustrating to encounter this problem, especially when you do not understand it and do not know how to fix it. If you are experiencing the same issue, do not panic.

You will still have access to the files or apps that you need because this post will teach you how to fix the “The requested operation requires elevation” issue on Windows 10/11.

What Does “The Requested Operation Requires Elevation” Mean in Windows 10/11?

The error message “The requested operation requires elevation” indicates that the action you’re trying to perform requires higher privileges, usually from a local administrator.

In other words, the system is preventing you from accessing or modifying a file or folder or executing a program because it needs administrator-level permissions. If you’re trying to access or take ownership of a file or folder, you’ll need to change its ownership and grant yourself the appropriate permissions.

If this error occurs when running a program, you can adjust the program’s properties to always launch with administrator rights. Keep reading to learn how to fix the “The requested operation requires elevation” issue on Windows 11/10.

Solution 1: Take ownership of the hard drive

Follow the steps below to take ownership of your hard drive:

  • Log out of your user account.
  • Log into the administrator account.
  • On your keyboard, press the Windows key + E to launch File Explorer.
  • On the left-pane menu, click This PC.
Click This PC
  • Now, go to the right pane and right-click your hard drive.
  • Select Properties from the context menu.
Select Properties from the context menu
  • Once the Properties window shows up, go to the Security tab.
  • Click the Advanced button.
Click the Advanced button
  • In the Advanced Security Settings window, click on Change next to the current owner’s name.
  • Type your username or click Advanced to search for it. After selecting, click OK .
  • Check the box for Replace owner on subcontainers and objects to apply the ownership to all files and folders on the drive.
  • Save the changes you made by clicking Apply and OK . You may need to close and reopen File Explorer for the changes to take effect.

Related: [FIXED] How to Fix “Hard Drive Is Not Showing Up” in Windows 10/11

Solution 2: Run the app as an administrator

You may encounter the “The requested operation requires elevation” error message when opening an app that requires administrative privileges. In this case, you need to configure the app’s settings to let you open it as an administrator all the time. Here are the steps:

  • Right-click the app, then select Properties from the options.
  • Now, go to the Compatibility tab.
  • Select the Run this program as an administrator box.
  • Save the changes you made by clicking Apply and OK.
What should I do if I see the “Contact your IT admin and ask for permission to run it” message while trying to fix the “The requested operation requires elevation” error?

First, make sure your account is set as an administrator:

  • Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and check if it says Administrator under your name. If it says Standard User , you don’t have administrative rights.
  • To change it, log into an admin account (or switch users if possible) and change your account type via Control Panel > User Accounts > Manage another account .
  • Select your account > click Change the account type > choose Administrator > click Change Account Type.

If you are locked out, you will need to enable the built-in Administrator account:

  • Open the Command Prompt as an administrator (search for it > right-click > click Run as administrator ).
  • Type net user administrator /active:yes and press Enter.
  • Then log in to that account to make necessary changes.

Solution 3: Disable UAC

It is possible that you’re getting the error message because of the User Account Control (UAC) settings. So, you can try disabling UAC to find out if it is the culprit.

Warning

User Account Control is a Windows security feature that protects your PC against unauthorized changes to the operating system.

UAC alerts you when a system change calls for administrator-level access, allowing you to accept or reject the change.

So, disabling this feature can lead to various issues, such as malware attacks, issues with system integrity, or programs making changes to your system without your approval.

Always have countermeasures in place and make sure to turn them back on once you’ve confirmed that the “The requested operation requires elevation” error isn’t caused by UAC.

To begin, follow the instructions below:

  • Press the Windows key + S on your keyboard.
  • Inside the search box, type Change User Account Control settings, then hit Enter.
Type Change User Account Control settings, then hit Enter
  • Now, drag the blue bar down to the Never notify option.
  • Save the changes you made by clicking OK.
Now, drag the blue bar down to the Never notify option

Solution 4: Disable your antivirus software temporarily

Sometimes, antivirus software may interfere with administrative tasks, triggering errors like “The requested operation requires elevation.” If that is the case, we recommend that you disable your antivirus temporarily and try performing the action again.

Here is how you can temporarily disable Windows Security, your built-in antivirus and security solution:

  • Open the Windows Start menu and click the Settings gear icon.
Open the Windows Start menu and click the Settings gear icon
  • Click on the Update & Security (Windows 10) or Privacy & security (Windows 11) option.
Click on Privacy and Security
  • Then click Open Windows Security .
click Open Windows Security
  • Once you are in the Windows Security window, select the Virus & threat protection option.
  • Now go to Virus & threat protection settings and click on the Manage settings link.
click on the Manage settings link
  • To disable the feature, toggle off the Real-time protection switch. This will temporarily disable the Windows Security tool on your computer.

If your computer is running a third-party antivirus solution, navigate to the manufacturer’s website and search for instructions on how to disable the tool temporarily. Keep in mind that disabling real-time protection leaves your device vulnerable to malware and other security threats.

We strongly advise re-enabling real-time protection as soon as you have fixed the “The requested operation requires elevation” issue.

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Solution 5: Run the Windows troubleshooter

The Windows troubleshooter is a built-in Windows tool designed to help diagnose and resolve various system issues.

It can automatically fix common problems with administrative tasks, including “The requested operation requires elevation.”

Here is how you can run the Windows troubleshooter in Windows 11:

  • Open Settings from the Start menu.
  • Go to System > Troubleshoot.
Go to System > Troubleshoot
  • Click on Other troubleshooters.
Click on Other troubleshooters
  • Find the troubleshooter you need and click Run next to it.

If you are using Windows 10:

  • Open the Control Panel.
  • Select Troubleshooting .
  • Click on the View all option in the left sidebar.
  • Right-click the troubleshooter you need.
  • Click on Run as administrator to run the troubleshooter and follow the on-screen instructions.

Solution 6: Update your drivers

Outdated drivers can cause multiple issues, such as the “The requested operation requires elevation” problem we are dealing with here. Updating your drivers can help improve stability and ensure that your system is running smoothly. You can update your system drivers using Device Manager:

  • Type Device Manager into your search bar and select the corresponding result.
  • Expand the category of the device whose driver you want to update.
  • Right-click on the device and select the Update driver option.
Right-click on the device and select the Update driver option
  • Choose the Search automatically for drivers option. The on-screen instructions will help you proceed further.
Choose the Search automatically for drivers option

Whichever option you go with, updating your drivers in Windows 10 or 11 is essential for proper PC maintenance. In addition to preventing a variety of errors, you get better stability, enhanced hardware compatibility, and access to the latest security patches and performance improvements released by device manufacturers.

The “The Requested Operation Requires Elevation” Error: Fixed

I hope that this mini-guide on how to fix the “The requested operation requires elevation” error in Windows helped you resolve it. As we now know, this error typically indicates that administrative privileges are required to perform a specific action.

To resolve this issue, follow these simple instructions: run the application as an administrator, change the User Account Control settings, or adjust the ownership of the file or folder. You should also try temporarily disabling your antivirus, running the Windows troubleshooter, and checking if you have any outdated drivers. If all else fails, you may consider resetting Windows while keeping your files, which can resolve deeper system problems without a full reinstall.

Do you know other solutions to this error message? Do not hesitate to share them in the comments section.

FAQ

How do I check if my account has administrator rights?
To check if your account has administrator rights, press Windows + I to open Settings, then go to Accounts > Your info. Under your name, you’ll see your account type—if it says Administrator, you have admin rights. Alternatively, you can open Control Panel > User Accounts, and your role will be displayed beneath your username.
How do I make sure a program always runs as an administrator?
Right-click the program’s shortcut or .exe file and select Properties. Go to the Compatibility tab. Under Settings, check the box that says Run this program as an administrator. Click Apply, then OK to save your changes. Now, every time you launch the program, it will automatically request administrator privileges.
What should I do if I encounter this error on a work or school PC?

If you’re on a work or school computer and see this error, it usually means you’re trying to perform an action that requires administrative privileges—and your account doesn’t have them.

Here’s what you can do (same on both Windows 10 and 11):

  • Do not attempt to bypass restrictions—this could violate your organization’s IT policies.
  • Contact your IT department or system administrator and explain the action you were trying to perform. If it’s a legitimate need, they may run the task for you or temporarily elevate your permissions.
  • If you’re using a personal device managed by work or school, ask if you can switch to a local administrator account for personal use (if policy allows).

How do I fix the “The requested operation requires elevation” error without an administrator account?

  • Log in with another account that does have administrator rights, if available.
  • Ask the admin user (on a shared PC or in an organization) to either run the app for you or temporarily elevate your account.
  • Use built-in tools that don’t require elevation—for example, certain troubleshooters or Safe Mode (though most still need admin access for system changes).

If you own the device, you might be able to enable the built-in Administrator account (via Safe Mode with Command Prompt), but this still usually requires some level of system access.

Can I fix this issue by resetting my Windows account password?
No, resetting your Windows account password won’t fix the “The requested operation requires elevation” error. This issue is related to user permissions, not your password—so unless your account has administrator rights, the error will still appear.
What do I do if I can’t remember my administrator password?
If you can’t remember your administrator password, you can reset it depending on your account type. For a Microsoft account, go to account.live.com/password/reset . For a local account, you’ll need a password reset disk or access to another admin account. If those aren’t available, booting into Safe Mode or using recovery tools may help—but some methods may require technical knowledge or reinstalling Windows.
What other troubleshooting steps can I take if none of the above work?
If you see the “The requested operation requires elevation” error while launching a game, it usually means the game needs administrator privileges to run properly. To fix it, right-click the game’s shortcut, select Properties, go to the Compatibility tab, and check Run this program as an administrator. Click Apply and OK to save. This will ensure the game always launches with the permissions it needs.
What is “required elevation” in Windows?
In Windows, elevation refers to the process of gaining administrative privileges to perform tasks affecting the entire Windows environment, such as running an installer or configuring system settings. You need to provide the right credentials to elevate your privileges and proceed with certain actions, like optimizing your system’s configuration.
What are Windows administrative privileges?

In Windows, administrative privileges allow you to execute tasks that require higher levels of access and make changes to the system that can affect all users. These tasks include installing software, modifying the registry, managing user accounts, and accessing sensitive files.

Standard user accounts do not have administrative privileges by default. This measure is designed to prevent unauthorized changes to the system that could potentially compromise its security or harm its components.

To obtain administrative privileges , you need to log in to an administrative account.