How To Open File Explorer As Another User

E.Caroline

2 min read

·

22-06-2025

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Opening File Explorer as another user can be incredibly useful for troubleshooting, accessing files belonging to other accounts on your system, or managing permissions. This guide will walk you through several methods, covering different scenarios and user skill levels. We'll cover both standard user account access and administrator-level access.

Method 1: Using the Run Command (Quickest Method)

This is the fastest way to open File Explorer as a different user, ideal for quick checks and file access.

Steps:

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type explorer.exe /user:<username> replacing <username> with the actual username of the account you want to access. For example, explorer.exe /user:JohnDoe.
3. Press Enter. You'll be prompted for the password associated with that user account.

Important Considerations:

• Administrator Privileges: If you're trying to access a user account with restricted permissions, you might need administrator privileges to successfully complete this action. You might be prompted to enter your administrator password instead.
• Correct Username: Ensure you type the username precisely; incorrect spelling will result in failure. Be mindful of uppercase and lowercase letters.

Method 2: Using the Command Prompt or PowerShell (More Control)

For more advanced users, the command prompt or PowerShell offers additional flexibility.

Steps (Command Prompt/PowerShell):

1. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell as an administrator. Right-click the Start button and select the appropriate option.
2. Type the same command as in Method 1: explorer.exe /user:<username> and press Enter. Again, replace <username> with the target username.
3. Enter the password when prompted.

This method is particularly useful if you need to integrate this action into a batch script or other automated processes.

Method 3: Run as different user (For specific folders)

If you need to open a specific folder as another user, this is the most targeted approach. This method helps avoid opening the entire File Explorer window as the other user.

Steps:

1. Locate the folder you need to access.
2. Right-click the folder.
3. Select "Properties".
4. Go to the "Security" tab.
5. Click "Edit...".
6. Add the user you want to access the folder as.
7. Assign appropriate permissions. (Read, Write, etc.)
8. Apply the changes.

Now navigate to the folder and you will only have this folder open as the other user. This limits the security risk to only that particular folder, rather than the entire system.

Troubleshooting Tips:

• Incorrect Password: Double-check the password for the target user account.
• User Account Disabled: Ensure the user account is enabled and not locked out.
• Administrator Rights: You may require administrator privileges to access certain user accounts or folders.
• Profile Corruption: If you repeatedly encounter issues, consider checking the integrity of the user profile.

By following these methods, you can efficiently open File Explorer as another user, facilitating easier file management and troubleshooting across different accounts on your Windows system. Remember to always prioritize security and use these techniques responsibly.