How do I Use Admin By Request for Temporary Administrator Access on my UNCW-owned Computer?

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All faculty, staff and students have the ability to use Admin By Request.

*Please note: You must submit a Privileged Access Request with a valid business need before using Admin By Request. After you have been emailed that your request has been approved, it may take a few hours for the software to appear on your computer.

Admin By Request is a software solution that allows a user to have temporary administrator access on their computer for 15 minutes at a time to accomplish business needs—for example, installing approved software. You can elevate your rights anytime on and off-campus. Please note that Admin rights are not automatically extended in conjunction with the extension of a UNCW account. Inactivity of 90 days will terminate admin user privileges.

Before using Admin By Request to install software, check to see if it is available in Software Center (Windows) or Self Service (Mac).

Admin Access Agreement:  I acknowledge that I will use this service in compliance with all UNCW policies and not modify the vendor's or university's existing system or security settings. If using this service to install or update software/systems, I will ensure the software/system is from a reputable source and kept current and secure.

Windows Instructions

 

  1. Double-click the "Administrator access" icon on the desktop, or click the green checkmark icon from the system tray and click "Request administrator access."

    The "administrator access" desktop icon.


    The green Admin By Request system tray icon with the "Request administrator access" button outlined in red.
     
  2. In the "User Account Control" prompt, complete the required information and click "OK," and then then click "OK" on the "Terms and Conditions" window.

    The "User Account Control" prompt with "sammyseahawk@uncw.edu" and "23000" entered.

    The "Terms and Conditions" window [the agreement is found on the top of this article].
     
  3. You will have administrator access for 15 minutes. Notice the timer in the lower right-hand corner of your screen, which shows how long your administrative session will last.

    The 15 minute administrator access countdown window with 14:56 left.

    TECH TIP: If you are installing approved software, the installation must be started within the 15-minute window. Once the installation has started, it will continue after the timer ends.

  4. Perform the administrator action(s). If prompted, enter your UNCW username and password in the "User Account Control" window and click "Yes." The dialog box will look different than the below image depending on the action you are performing.

    The "User Account Control" prompt.
     
  5. Once the action(s) are completed, select "Finish" on the countdown timer.

 

*Please note: If the software you are working with is not recognizing you as an administrator after following these steps, please try using the "Run as Administrator" feature. For more information, please review this video. Disregard the portions of the video referring to waiting for IT approval - this is not needed.

Automatic Prompt

The last way to run an application as an administrator may occur automatically. In the example below, a person is prompted to download the WebEx application when attempting to join a meeting. 
 

The "User Account Control" window shown when trying to install the WebEx Meeting Plugin without administrator access.
 

  1. Before entering your username and password, you will need to elevate the entire session. If you enter your credentials without elevating the session, you will receive the error "The requested operation requires elevation."
     
  2. Once elevated, enter your UNCW username and password and click "Yes."
     
  3. Once the action(s) are completed, select "Finish" on the countdown timer.


Mac Instructions

 

  1. If Admin By Request is not already running, open it from the Dock or Launchpad.
     
  2. Click the circled checkmark in the Menu Bar. In the dropdown menu, Click "Request Administrator access."

    The Admin By Request icon in the macOS Menu Bar represented by a white check mark in a white circle. The text "Request administrator access" is highlighted.
     
  3. At the "Request Administrator Access" prompt, complete the required information and click "Continue," and then click "OK" on the "Terms and Conditions" window.

    Admin By Request prompting for an email address, phone number, and a reason for the install.


    The "Terms and Conditions" window [the agreement is found on the top of this article].
     
  4. You will have administrator access for 15 minutes. Notice the timer in the lower right-hand corner of your screen, which shows how long your administrative session will last. Click "Finish" if you wish to end the session sooner.

    The 15-minute administrator access countdown window with 14:52 left.

    TECH TIP: If you are installing approved software, the installation must be started within the 15-minute window. Once the installation has started, it will continue after the timer ends.

  5. Perform the administrator action(s). If prompted, enter your UNCW username and password in the system window and click the blue button (e.g., "install, unlock, modify settings, OK"). You may also be prompted to unlock with Touch ID.
     
  6. Once the action(s) are completed, select "Finish" on the countdown timer.

 

System Actions

Certain system actions (e.g., uninstalling software or adding a printer) may require administrator access. In the example below, the user is dragging an application into the trash, and the dialog box prompts the user to enter their credentials.

macOS prompting for an administrator's name and password when dragging "Sample Application" to the trash.

 

  1. Before entering your username and password, you will need to elevate the entire session. If you enter your credentials without elevating the session, your credentials will not be accepted.
     
  2. Once elevated, enter your UNCW username and password and click the blue button (e.g., "install, unlock, modify settings, OK").
     
  3. Once the action(s) are completed, select "Finish" on the countdown timer.

Please submit a service request or CHAT with TAC if you need further assistance.

 

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Privileged Access Request