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Michael Kelley
Asked: 2009-12-18 11:30:39 +0800 CST

In a PowerShell script, how can I check if I'm running with administrator privileges?

  • 772

In a PowerShell script, how can I check if I'm running with administrator privileges?

powershell

5 Answers

  1. In Powershell 4.0 you can use requires at the top of your script:

    #Requires -RunAsAdministrator

    Outputs:

    The script 'MyScript.ps1' cannot be run because it contains a "#requires" statement for running as Administrator. The current Windows PowerShell session is not running as Administrator. Start Windows PowerShell by using the Run as Administrator option, and then try running the script again.

    • 114
  2. Best Answer
    $currentPrincipal = New-Object Security.Principal.WindowsPrincipal([Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent())
$currentPrincipal.IsInRole([Security.Principal.WindowsBuiltInRole]::Administrator)

    (from Command line safety tricks)

    • 101 
  3. function Test-Administrator  
{  
    $user = [Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent();
    (New-Object Security.Principal.WindowsPrincipal $user).IsInRole([Security.Principal.WindowsBuiltinRole]::Administrator)  
}

    Execute the above function. IF the a result is True, the user has admin privileges.

    • 42

  4. as a combination of the above answers, you can use something like the following at the begin of your script: 

    # todo: put this in a dedicated file for reuse and dot-source the file
function Test-Administrator  
{  
    [OutputType([bool])]
    param()
    process {
        [Security.Principal.WindowsPrincipal]$user = [Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent();
        return $user.IsInRole([Security.Principal.WindowsBuiltinRole]::Administrator);
    }
}

if(-not (Test-Administrator))
{
    # TODO: define proper exit codes for the given errors 
    Write-Error "This script must be executed as Administrator.";
    exit 1;
}

$ErrorActionPreference = "Stop";

# do something

    Another method is to start your Script with this line, which will prevent it's execution when not started with admin rights. 

    #Requires -RunAsAdministrator
    • 2

  5. This will check if you are an Administrator, if not then it will reopen in PowerShell ISE as an Administrator.

    Hope this helps!

        $ver = $host | select version
    if ($ver.Version.Major -gt 1)  {$Host.Runspace.ThreadOptions = "ReuseThread"}

    # Verify that user running script is an administrator
    $IsAdmin=[Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent()
    If ((New-Object Security.Principal.WindowsPrincipal $IsAdmin).IsInRole([Security.Principal.WindowsBuiltinRole]::Administrator) -eq $FALSE)
    {
      "`nERROR: You are NOT a local administrator.  Run this script after logging on with a local administrator account."
        # We are not running "as Administrator" - so relaunch as administrator

        # Create a new process object that starts PowerShell
        $newProcess = new-object System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo "PowerShell_ise";

        # Specify the current script path and name as a parameter
        $newProcess.Arguments = $myInvocation.MyCommand.Definition;

        # Indicate that the process should be elevated
        $newProcess.Verb = "runas";

        # Start the new process
        [System.Diagnostics.Process]::Start($newProcess);

        # Exit from the current, unelevated, process
        exit
    }
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