Adding the "Run As..." option to the context menu for .MSI and .MSP packages

Copy and paste the following text to a text file and save it as a .reg file. This will add "Run As..." as an option to the right-click menu for all .MSI (installation) and .MSP (patch) files for the current user.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Msi.Package\shell\runas]
@=""

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Msi.Package\shell\runas\command]
@="\"%1\" %*"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Msi.Patch\shell\runas]
@=""

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Msi.Patch\shell\runas\command]
@="\"%1\" %*"

To add this function for all users, use the following script instead (NOTE: Installing this script requires Admin rights or write privileges to the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT registry hive.):

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Msi.Package\shell\runas]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Msi.Package\shell\runas\command]
@="\"%1\" %*"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Msi.Patch\shell\runas]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Msi.Patch\shell\runas\command]
@="\"%1\" %*"

This can be very helpful for installing packages as a different user (in a different security context) for example, when installing or running Windows applications as a non-Administrator which is highly recommended for security reasons.

Author: ASAK
Created: Jan 31 2007
Categories: Windows
TechByte #149

Warning: By visiting this site and/or by using any information contained herein, you agree to the Techbytes.ca terms of use.