Admin by Request

Admin by Request

Admin by Request is a tool MSUM IT has been implemented to provide a method to grant end users administrative rights temporarily to install software and make configuration changes while maintaining necessary security policies.

First the software must be installed from Microsoft Software Center. How-To instructions on this process is documented on our IT knowledge base. Once installed, Admin by Request provides two methods of requesting administrative access.

Approval Guidelines

To ensure security and proper oversight, blind approval requests will not be approved.

Requests lacking sufficient detail or justification will be denied.

Before submitting a request:

  • Ensure the request includes a clear business justification
  • Verify that the requested action is necessary and appropriate
  • Contact Support if you have questions or need guidance

Users are expected to reach out to Support prior to submission if they are unsure how to proceed.

Elevated Request Types

Admin by Request offers two request types based on the task being performed.  Run as Admin should be used when a specific installer or executable needs to be launched with administrative privileges.  Request Admin Access should be used for broader tasks that require temporary administrator rights, such as modifying system settings (for example, printer configurations or power options).

Run as Administrator

  1. Download the installer for your desired software.
  2. Start the installation by right-clicking and selecting Run as Administrator:

    Image showing right click menu with the second item down, Run as Administrator, highlighted.
  3. Admin By Request suspends installation and asks for phone, MSUM email, and reason. Enter these details and click OK to continue:

Screenshot of prompt to enter email, phone number and reason for running Admin by Request

  1. A notification now advises that the request for approval has been sent. Click OK.

Notification stating " Thank you Your request has been sent. You will receive an email when your administrator has processed the request."

  1. If the request is approved, a further notification advises the request has been approved, click Yes.Notification of " Request Approved Your request to run " the selected installation" has been approved. Do you want to run it now? Yes or No"
  2. Another notification now provides Minnesota State University Moorhead Code of Conduct. Click OK after reading.

Code of Conduct stating 'Your request to start the application as administrator has been approved. Please note that while the application is running, IT staff will be able to see the activity. If you have concerns about this, pleas close right away and contact the IT staff."

  1. Complete the software installation with newly granted temporary admin rights (Installation steps will vary based on product).

Requesting Administrator Access

  1. Expand the system tray by clicking the up arrow in the lower right corner of your screen. Click the Request administrator access icon that displays as a green circle with a check-mark.

Screenshot of the Request by Admin icon on the taskbar, The image is a green circle with a white border and white check mark in the middle.

  1. In the resulting drop-down menu, click Request administrator access.

Menu from clicking on the Request by Admin icon, showing two lines: Request administrator access (highlighted) and About Admin by Request

  1. An empty Request Administrator Access form appears. Enter your MSUM email, phone and reason into the form and click OK.Request Administrator Access form. Enter your MSUM email, phone and reason into the form and click OK
  1. A notification will appear informing the user that the request for admin access has been sent to MSUM IT. Click OK.Notification box informing the user that the request for admin access has been sent to MSUM IT. Click OK.
  1. If the request is approved, a notification will appear asking the user to confirm when ready. Click Yes.

Notification box stating "Request Approved Your request to start an administrator session has been approved. Do you want to start now" Click Yes or No.

  1. A Code of Conduct notification will display. Click OK after reading

Code of Conduct stating 'Your request to start the application as administrator has been approved. When you close this screen, you will temporarily become administrator on your computer and a small countdown will appear on the lower right side of your screen. To run a program with the administrative rights, you must right-click a program and select "Run as administrator". Please note that while the countdown is running, IT staff will be able to see which applications you install and which programs you run. If you have concerns about this, pleas close right away and contact the IT staff." Click OK

  1. will display the 15 minute window to make administrative changes. Click Finish when completed.Notification box of the countdown timer showing how much time is left. Finish button located in the lower right corner.
  2. A confirmation warning will appear. Click Yes to confirm.

Warning box stating " Warning Are you sure you are done with your administrative access?" Click Yes or No/

If more assistance is needed

Incident Request: If you still need help with something not working as it should or have questions, please contact the IT Help Desk or create a ticket using the "Incident Request" button on this page, or if there isn't one included then you can initiate it from the home page.

Service Request: A formal request from a user for something to be provided, information, advice, a standard change or access to an IT service, navigate to the Service Catalog to find the service you specifically would like to request.

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