Windows – PsExec Access is denied

psexecrunaswindows 7

I am using psexec.exe to run programs in a different security context. However the programs start but it does not seem to be running in the specified security context.

In its minimal form:

psexec -u wsadmin -p password cmd

Starts a new cmd window if I type in that window whoami

C:\Windows\system32>whoami
win-k1r7g38nlkt\wsadmin

C:\Windows\system32>net localgroup administrators
Alias name     administrators
Comment        Administrators have complete and unrestricted access to the computer/domain

Members

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Administrator
wsadmin
The command completed successfully.

As you can see I am definately the other user. And I can confirm that this user is member of the "Administrators group"

C:\Windows\system32>mkdir test
Access is denied.

If I use runas with the specified user it works as supposed. But I need to supply the password on the commandline.

Best Answer

On Windows Vista and later, if UAC is enabled, a process launched by psexec -- even when run from an administrator account -- must have its elevate token set in order to get full privileges. This can be done by passing the -h attribute in the psexec command line. So, you would change your command to:

psexec -h -u wsadmin -p password cmd

For more info, run psexec /?:

    -h    If the target system is Vista or higher, has the process
          run with the account's elevated token, if available.
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