On Windows 7, is there a command prompt line that can start cmd as an administrator?

On Linux, we can use

sudo bash

to run a shell as the superuser.

On Windows 7, we can use

Start menu -> (in search box, type) cmd -> Right click on search result and choose Run as Administrator

to run a command prompt as an administrator. Is there also a command prompt line that is like Linux's sudo or su so as to start a shell as an administrator?

Answer

The runas command is the closest thing to what you're looking for:

runas /user:username cmd.exe

The format is runas, the username you want to run as, other options, and then the program you want to run.

If you're on a domain, you can use:

runas /user:DOMAIN\USERNAME cmd.exe

This can be run from the Run box ( Win+R ) or from a command window.

Note, however, that this is not exactly like sudo - you can't use it to elevate yourself, just run something as a different user. If you're already have administrative rights, a runas to your account will give you the same access as the regular command (unless, of course, you runas a different administrator account, which will grant those administrator's rights to the new shell).