Running applications as an administrator can give them elevated privileges, allowing them to perform certain actions that require additional permissions. While this can be helpful in some cases, running Discord as an administrator isn’t necessary and can sometimes lead to potential issues, including security vulnerabilities and compatibility problems with other apps. If you’ve been running Discord as an administrator on Windows 11, here’s a comprehensive guide to safely stop it and configure Discord to run with standard permissions.
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Why Should You Stop Running Discord as Administrator?
Running Discord as an administrator can create a few unwanted issues:
1. Security Risks: Running Discord with administrative privileges gives the app more access than it needs, which could expose your system to security vulnerabilities. If a malicious file or script were to exploit Discord, it could potentially gain elevated access to your system.
2. Interference with Other Apps: Some games and apps that interact with Discord may experience compatibility issues if Discord is running with elevated privileges, as it could create conflicts with the way the apps access Discord.
3. Unnecessary Permissions: Discord doesn’t require administrator permissions to run smoothly on Windows 11. It’s designed to work perfectly fine with standard user permissions, so running it as an administrator isn’t necessary and only increases potential security risks.
How to Stop Running Discord as Administrator
If you’re currently running Discord as an administrator on Windows 11, follow these steps to disable this setting.
Step 1: Close Discord
Before making any changes, ensure that Discord is closed completely:
1. Right-click on the Discord icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner of the screen).
2. Click Quit Discord to close the application entirely.
Step 2: Locate the Discord Executable
1. Open File Explorer by pressing Win + E.
2. Navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Discord. (Replace `[Your Username]` with your actual username on the system.)
– If you don’t see the AppData folder, enable Hidden items by going to the View tab and checking the Hidden items box.
3. Open the app-[version number] folder (the exact version may vary), and locate the Discord.exe file.
Step 3: Open Properties for Discord.exe
1. Right-click on Discord.exe and select Properties.
2. In the Properties window, go to the Compatibility tab.
Step 4: Disable “Run this program as an administrator”
1. Under the Settings section in the Compatibility tab, find Run this program as an administrator.
2. Uncheck this box if it’s checked. This ensures that Discord won’t run with elevated privileges each time you launch it.
3. Click Apply and then OK to save your changes.
Step 5: Restart Discord
After making these changes, open Discord as you normally would to ensure it’s no longer running as an administrator. Simply double-click the Discord icon on your desktop or find it in the Start menu.
Optional: Remove Administrator Rights from Discord Shortcut
If you typically start Discord from a shortcut (like on your desktop), it’s a good idea to remove administrator rights from the shortcut as well.
1. Right-click on the Discord shortcut and select Properties.
2. Go to the Compatibility tab.
3. Uncheck Run this program as an administrator, if it’s checked.
4. Click Apply and OK.
This ensures that even if you accidentally launch Discord from the shortcut, it won’t run with administrator privileges.
Additional Tips for Smooth Discord Performance
Here are a few extra tips to make sure Discord runs smoothly on Windows 11 without needing elevated permissions:
– Update Drivers: Keep your graphics and audio drivers up to date, as outdated drivers can cause Discord to run sluggishly.
– Adjust Windows Security Settings: Sometimes, Windows Firewall or security software can interfere with Discord. If you experience issues, consider adding Discord as an exception in your firewall settings instead of running it as an administrator.
– Reinstall Discord: If you still face issues after changing the administrator settings, try uninstalling Discord and then reinstalling it from the official website. This can help reset any problematic configurations.
Running Discord as an administrator on Windows 11 is rarely necessary and can introduce security and compatibility issues. By following the steps above, you can easily stop Discord from running with elevated permissions, creating a safer and more stable environment on your system. Discord is designed to work without administrator rights, so keeping it at standard permissions will protect your system while still providing you with a seamless Discord experience.
For further troubleshooting, Discord’s support and online communities are great resources, offering more tips to optimize your Discord experience. Enjoy safe, smooth communication on Discord without compromising your system’s security.