Microsoft Introduces Linux-Like 'sudo' Command to Windows 11

Feb 12, 2024NewsroomOperating System / Technology

Microsoft said it's introducing Sudo for Windows 11 as part of an early preview version to help users execute commands with administrator privileges.

"Sudo for Windows is a new way for users to run elevated commands directly from an unelevated console session," Microsoft Product Manager Jordi Adoumie said.

"It is an ergonomic and familiar solution for users who want to elevate a command without having to first open a new elevated console."

Sudo, short for superuser do, is a program for Unix-like computer operating systems that allows users to run programs with the security privileges of another user, usually a user with elevated permissions (e.g., administrator).

The feature is available for Windows 11 builds 26045 and later. It can be enabled by heading to Settings > System > For Developers, and setting "Enable sudo" to On.

Sudo for Windows comes with three options: run applications in a new elevated console window, run the elevated process in the current window but with the input stream (stdin) closed, and in inline mode.

"The inline configuration option runs the elevated process in the current window and the process is able to receive input from the current console session," Redmond warns in its documentation.

"An unelevated process can send input to the elevated process within the same console windows or get information from the output in the current windows in this configuration."

Microsoft said it's also in the process of open-sourcing the project on GitHub, urging other users to contribute to the initiative as well as report issues and file feature requests.

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