How do I 'run as' 'Network Service'?

Question

I am trying to run a process as another account. I have the command:

runas "/user:WIN-CLR8YU96CL5\network service" "abwsx1.exe"

but then this asks for the password. However there is no password set for the network service.

Is what I am trying to do possible?

Answer 1

Use PsExec.exe from SysInternals, running from an elevated command prompt.

e.g. this will open a new command prompt running as NETWORK SERVICE:

psexec -i -u "nt authority\network service" cmd.exe 

this will run it as LOCAL SYSTEM:

psexec -i -s cmd.exe 

You can verify these by running whoami from the cmd prompt.

See also:

• http://forum.sysinternals.com/how-to-start-cmdexe-as-network-service_topic15797.html

• Interactive command prompt as NETWORK SERVICE