Is there any way to run file explorer as administrator under Windows 10

For small things like browsing a folder that cannot be browsed without elevated explorer I start elevated notepad and then in the file open dialog I can browse all directories. With right click I can do quite a bit. (It's a fast solution that mostly does the trick.)

I discovered a way to run Explorer as admin some time ago:

• start regedit.exe and go to the following key. You should be able to copy/paste this string into the regedit address bar:

  HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\{CDCBCFCA-3CDC-436f-A4E2-0E02075250C2}

• make a right click on Permissions and set your user as owner (click on advanced button to be able to take ownership) of the key and give your current user writing permissions.

or use the 3rd party tool RegOwnershipEx to get full control of the key:

• Next, delete or rename the value RunAs.

Now the Elevated-Unelevated Explorer Factory (which causes that the Run As admin is ignored) is disabled and you can start the Explorer with admin rights.

Note: In order to start Explorer as admin after having done that, don't do this: Task Manager > Run > explorer.exe with "As admininistrator" checked, it will not work. Instead create an explorer shortcut on desktop, right-click on it and select "Run as admin" or edit the shortcut > Advanced > Run as administrator.

Start command line as Administrator.

Type these commands:

taskkill /im explorer.exe
explorer.exe