Restart session in Admin mode

Last updated on Mar 27, 2026

In this article:

A remote user does not need the administrator's password to start the SetMe Client. If the user does not have administrative privileges, the support session will start in User mode. When the session is running in User mode, you can use most features to manage the remote device:  

When the session is running in Admin mode, additional features become available: 

  • Perform tasks that require elevated privileges on the remote device, including managing UAC dialogs 
  • Lock, switch user, sign out, and sign in on the remote computer 
  • Restart the remote device in safe mode 
  • Configure automatic sign-in after restart 
  • Install the SetMe Client for future connections 
  • Set up unattended access 

The SetMe Client is designed to automatically detect whether it can run in Admin mode upon startup. If possible, the session starts directly in Admin mode. If not, you can elevate the session to Admin mode while it is running. To do so, you will need the administrator's password for the remote computer. Either you or the remote user can enter this password. 

To ensure the support session always starts in Admin mode without additional password prompts, you need to install the SetMe Client on the remote computer. This can be done in advance by sending the remote user a link to i.set.me. You can also install the SetMe Client during a support session via the Install client app tab. 

Restart a session to Admin mode when the remote user is not a device administrator

  1. Sign in to the SetMe Expert console. 
  2. Start a new support session. 
  3. On the Session Panel, click Run as admin. 
  4. Click OK.  
  5. (You know the remote device's administrator credentials) Enter the administrator username and password for the remote device, then click OK.  
  6. (You do not know the remote device's administrator credentials) Click Request admin credentials from the remote user.  
    1. The remote user must enter the device's administrator username and password, then click OK. 
  7. (Windows) The remote user must click Yes in the UAC dialog. 

The SetMe Client will launch in Admin mode, and the support session will resume. You can now perform tasks that require administrator privileges. 

Restart a session to Admin mode when the remote user is a device administrator 

  1. Sign in to the SetMe Expert console. 
  2. Start a new support session.
  3. On the Session Panel, click Run as admin. 
  4. Click OK. 
  5. (macOS) The remote user must enter their password and click OK. 
  6. (Windows) The remote user must click Yes in the UAC dialog. 

The SetMe Client will launch in Admin mode, and the support session will resume. You can now perform tasks that require administrator privileges.