The runas command in Windows is a versatile tool that allows you to run programs with different user credentials, making it valuable for administrative tasks and situations requiring elevated privileges. Additionally, the command can be used to run programs with credentials from different domains, and the /netonly parameter provides a focused approach for accessing remote resources with distinct credentials.

Running Programs with Different User Credentials

To run a program with different user credentials, follow these steps:

  1. Open Command Prompt: Press Win + R, type "cmd," and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.

  2. Use runas: Enter the following command, replacing <username> with the desired username and "<program_path>" with the program's path:

    runas /user:<username> "<program_path>"

  3. Password Prompt: After entering the command, you will be prompted to enter the password for the specified user.

  4. Run Program: Once you enter the correct password, the program will run with the credentials of the specified user.

For example:

runas /user:Administrator "C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe"

This command runs the Command Prompt as the Administrator user.

Running Programs with Different User Credentials from a Different Domain

To run a program with different user credentials from a different domain, use the following syntax:

runas /user:<domain>\<username> "<program_path>"
  • <domain>: Replace this with the domain name where the user account is located.
  • <username>: Replace this with the username of the account you want to use.
  • "<program_path>": Replace this with the full path to the program you want to run.

For example:

runas /user:ExampleDomain\User1 "C:\Path\To\Program.exe"

This command prompts for the password of the specified domain user and runs the program with those credentials.

Ensure you have the necessary permissions, network connectivity, and correct domain and username format for running programs across different domains.

Running Programs with Different User Credentials Using /netonly

The /netonly parameter allows you to run a program with different user credentials specifically for accessing remote resources. Use the following syntax:

runas /netonly /user:<domain>\<username> "<program_path>"
  • <domain>: Replace this with the domain name where the user account is located.
  • <username>: Replace this with the username of the account you want to use.
  • "<program_path>": Replace this with the full path to the program you want to run.

For example:

runas /netonly /user:ExampleDomain\User1 "C:\Path\To\Program.exe"

When using /netonly, the specified program runs with the specified user credentials only for network connections. Local resources and interactions continue to use the credentials of the currently logged-in user.

This feature is beneficial when accessing resources on a different domain or using different credentials for a specific task without affecting the local user session.

Remember to provide the correct domain, username, and program path for your specific scenario. The /netonly parameter enhances the flexibility of the runas command, making it a valuable tool for managing credentials in diverse network environments.