How to Get Rid Of the Error 'The Requested Operation Requires Elevation’?

If you have got the error, “The requested operation requires elevation,” on your Windows PC, then it indicates that you are trying to perform a certain operation without the elevated privileges. In this article, you will learn the technical aspect of this error. Also, you will learn the technique of fixing the error.

Cause of the Error

Elevated privileges, primarily, refers to Admin privileges. To perform certain operations like modifying the OS settings, running network commands, etc., Admin or elevated privileges are essential. If you don’t have those rights, then you are likely to get the error message “The requested operation requires elevation.”

It is easy to understand that one can have the Admin rights if he/she logs into the computer as Administrator. However, technically, having the elevated privileges not necessarily mean that you need to log into the computer as Administrator. On Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Vista, you can either log onto the computer as Administrator or as an Administrator. These are two different aspects.

Even if you log onto your computer with a standard user account, still you can run a program as Administrator. However, for doing that, you will require the Administrator login credentials. But at least, you can overrule the need for switching the account type.

Different Scenarios of the Error

“The requested operation requires elevation” is not a very complicated error in the light that it clearly defines what has gone wrong and why you are facing this error. However, in Windows environment, there can be various situations, where you are likely to face this error.

Error While Running Windows Command Prompt

For instance, you can get the error while running networking commands in the Windows Command Prompt.  Certain commands are executable only through elevated command prompt. Elevated command prompt carries Admin rights.

Thus, to use the elevated command prompt, you either need to log on your computer from the “Administrator” account or you need to run the command prompt as Administrator.

Error While Installing Updates

You are likely to get the error while attempting to install software updates from Windows Update center. Installing updates is technically a task of OS modification. To execute such operations, you need to have Admin privileges. Thus, while performing such operations, you either need to log on your PC using the Administrator account or run the Windows updates as “Administrator.”

 Tech Support Troubleshooting Tips for Fixing the Error

By referring to the two incidents mentioned below, you must have understood why and how you can land up with this error. To fix this error you can use two computer support tips:

•    Log on from the “Administrator Account” and try running the requested operation.

•    If you are using the normal user account, then try running the requested operation as “Administrator.”

In the following content, you can read how to employ the tech support tips mentioned above:

How to Run a Program as Administrator on Windows Vista/7/8?

•    Select the program you want to run.

•    Right-click on the program.

•    From the right-click drop menu, select "Run as administrator."

•    Insert the Administrator login credentials.

•    That will give you the elevated rights.

How to Always run programs as Administrator?

You can set a program to run as Administrator, by performing the following steps:

•    Right-click the program.

•    Select Properties.

•    In the 'Properties' window, select the 'Compatibility' tab.

•    Inside the tab, tick the checkbox for 'Run this program as an Administrator.'

•    Then, click 'OK.'

Conclusion

Next time if you confront this error, don’t get frightened considering it something very serious. It is just a permission error. You probably don’t require professional computer support services to resolve this error as the resolution is simple. You just need to use your Administrator login credentials and use the “Run as Administrator” feature of Windows Vista/7/8. However, if you are a basic user and finding difficulty in resolving the error, then you can go for online technical support services. But, even the tech support expert will require your Administrator login credentials to fix this error.