runas admin in windows xp

Many a times we are required to run /install some applications on windows xp with administrative rights when already logged as normal user wirh limited rights. In that scenario we can use runas command as given below.

runas /user:computername\admin cmd

in this example the local machine name is "computername" and the local admistrator account is "admin"

You will then be asked to enter the admin (member of administrators group on local computer) password.

This will open up a new Command window running with local administrator priveleges - check the title bar of the command window.
To run Computer Management, for example to modify user rights, in this window type: compmgmt.msc

To run control panel, for example when you need to modify network adapter settings, type: control.exe