Change user in command prompt

Hey! I'm a new member and I don't have enough time to read all the topics so I'm very sorry if someone else has asked about that before.
So, my question is: Is it possible to change user accounts in command prompt and how?

I know it is possible in Linux, but I want to learn how to do this in Windows Command Prompt.

Greetings! 

[Global Moderator]

Please mention what OS you're using?
and
Do you want to create a new user or switch accounts?

The OS I use is Windows XP
I want to switch accounts, not to create a new one

[Global Moderator]

I don't think that is possible. You can edit accounts and stuff but i don't think you can switch users......
I searched for it and i didn't find anything. I could be wrong so wait for more replies.

OK. Well, I actually don't want exactly to "switch" accounts. What I want is, for example, if I use a Limited account to be able to get the privileges of an Administrator. I used Fedora Core, so I'm sure it is possible in Linux but I don't know how to do it in Windows command prompt.

[Moderator]

Who's machine are you trying to hack with this? There would be no benefit to a home user that I can see.

HAHA! I think you're wrong. See:
I use a Limited account. To switch on the Administrator Acount on my computer I need at least 5 minutes. Very often an error appears when I switch the accounts so I have to restart the computer and it takes more time. So if I want to so something that requires an administrator privileges I have to waste much time. For me it is absolutely inconvenient. There are some reasons why I can't use an Admin account but they are considered by the security of my system. So my account is Limited and I have to switch very often to an administrator which is absolutely inconvenient as i said.

[Global Moderator]

Who's machine

You can use the runas utility provided you know both the administrator logon and the password. This is not a hack and actually is documented in the XP Help and Support for this very purpose.

 

Yeah I know about run as but what if I want to have an access as an administrator?! Also sometimes I have problems with some instalation files if I use the run as utility.

[Moderator]

HAHA! I think you're wrong. See:
I use a Limited account. To switch on the Administrator Acount on my computer I need at least 5 minutes. Very often an error appears when I switch the accounts so I have to restart the computer and it takes more time. So if I want to so something that requires an administrator privileges I have to waste much time. For me it is absolutely inconvenient. There are some reasons why I can't use an Admin account but they are considered by the security of my system. So my account is Limited and I have to switch very often to an administrator which is absolutely inconvenient as i said.

Too many questions remain. Good luck, though.

HAHA! I think you're wrong. See:
Very often an error appears when I switch the accounts so I have to restart the computer and it takes more time.

Can you document the error?

Yeah I know about run as but what if I want to have an access as an administrator?! Also sometimes I have problems with some instalation files if I use the run as utility.

What problems?

If you have an administrator login and the password, you should be able to use fast user switching to switch into an administrator account.

Either there is more to this story (a school computer perhaps?) or the system has other problems.

Microsoft spends big bucks preventing back door elevations of privileges. 

Can you document the error?

Well, the system crashes and doesn't allow me to type the Administrator's username and password.

What problems?

For example if I want to update my skype and I run the install file using run as after finishing the installation the new version is not installed and I have to switch on Administrator's account to install it.

Either there is more to this story (a school computer perhaps?) or the system has other problems.

It is  my computer at home.

But, guys, of course I can switch the accounts in normal way, of course I can use runas , I'm just interestig i it is possible to get an administrator's privileges from Command Prompt. I don't want to hack anything (hah only I know the administrator's password on my computer  ).

[Moderator]

Try pressing the Windows Logo Key and L
(WinLogo+L)
If you have the administrator password, then you can log in as Admin.

If User Account Switching is dissabled, it must be installed first.

Click Start, then Logoff, and select "Switch User" to do the same as Logokey+L

if your an xp user you dont have to switch users to be administrator,
i think its in the right click menu of the file you want access to.. but you do need to no the administrators password..

[Moderator]

if your an xp user you dont have to switch users to be administrator,
i think its in the right click menu of the file you want access to.. but you do need to no the administrators password..

Wrong.

Well, guys, I suppose only this is close to what I was looking for:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/runas.mspx?mfr=true
I've been searching for a long time and I didn't found anything else.
Enjoy 

i know a way to get administrator. get the computer in securemode. (im not sure if it named secure mode) but if you turn off the computer and turn on and off. then you can get into a account which only open things that you need. that user is administrator!

if your an xp user you dont have to switch users to be administrator,
i think its in the right click menu of the file you want access to.. but you do need to no the administrators password..

Wrong.

it does exist , my computer now doesent have it either.. but i have seen it, it might be something you have to enable first..

if your an xp user you dont have to switch users to be administrator,
i think its in the right click menu of the file you want access to.. but you do need to no the administrators password..

Do you mean "Run as..."?

It looks like it might work for programs but I have not tested it.

ok, but is it possible to switch your self from limited to admin through OS on xp

[Moderator]

if your an xp user you dont have to switch users to be administrator,
i think its in the right click menu of the file you want access to.. but you do need to no the administrators password..

Wrong.

it does exist , my computer now doesent have it either.. but i have seen it, it might be something you have to enable first..

Where ?

[Moderator]

ok, but is it possible to switch your self from limited to admin through OS on xp

Yes
You click Start, then Log off (the picture of keys) and then "Switch Users"
This is how you do this.

If you are having problems with this, then please confirm the following:
I have Antivirus
I have Antispyware/adware
I have a valid copy of Windows XP

Seems you mean the "SU" command.
It is in Windows Ressource Kit
Check this link:
http://www.ss64.com/nt/su.html

hope it helps
uli

Sorry, can you give me an example about this:
http://www.ss64.com/nt/su.html

You have to install the command on your machine and give the account the necessary rights. Read the helpfile of the command. There is also an example in the helpfile.

uli