Sudo on Windows 11: More Useful Than You Think

For anyone who regularly switches between operating systems, muscle memory can be a powerful force. The instinct to type `sudo` in a Windows terminal, only to be met with an error, is a familiar frustration for developers and power users. That minor annoyance is now a thing of the past. Windows 11 includes a native `sudo` command, offering one of the most practical workflow enhancements to hit the platform in recent memory. It streamlines the process of running commands with administrative privileges directly from your current terminal window.

Enabling this feature is straightforward but not immediately obvious. Microsoft has placed the option within the Settings app, presumably to prevent accidental use. To activate it, navigate to Settings > System > Advanced and locate the “Enable sudo” toggle. Slide it to the on position. Beyond simply turning it on, you can configure how the command behaves. There are three primary modes: launching the command in a new window, running it in the current window with input disabled for security, or using the inline option. The inline mode closely mimics the Linux and macOS experience, executing the command directly in your existing terminal session, which is the preferred choice for most command-line enthusiasts. You can also set this via the command line by running `sudo config –enable normal` from an elevated terminal.

This addition is far more than a novelty. It fundamentally changes how you interact with the Windows terminal for common administrative tasks. Consider package management with Winget. Attempting a bulk upgrade often fails because some applications require elevated rights to modify the Program Files directory. Now, you can simply execute `sudo winget upgrade –all`, approve the single User Account Control (UAC) prompt, and update everything seamlessly. The same principle applies to numerous built-in tools like `netstat`, `diskpart`, or `sfc`. Previously, you’d need to launch a separate elevated terminal window. Now, prefixing `sudo` lets you run these commands without breaking your workflow or managing multiple windows.

Editing system files also becomes significantly more efficient. Instead of opening Notepad as an administrator and navigating to a file, you can handle everything from the terminal. For instance, to modify the hosts file, you would type `sudo notepad C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts`. This opens Notepad with the necessary permissions, allowing you to edit and save directly, all without ever leaving your command-line environment.

However, it’s important to understand that Windows `sudo` operates differently from its Linux counterpart. The underlying security models are distinct. On Windows, the command triggers a UAC prompt for each use, elevating the specific process rather than switching to a persistent root user. A key limitation is the lack of credential caching. Unlike Linux, where authentication might last several minutes, Windows will present a UAC dialog every single time you invoke `sudo`. For users who frequently need elevated privileges, this can become tedious.

This is where third-party alternatives like `gsudo` remain relevant. As a community-developed tool that inspired Microsoft’s implementation, gsudo offers features like credential caching and more detailed security controls. For power users who spend all day in the terminal, it might still provide a superior experience despite the new native option.

The introduction of `sudo` represents a meaningful shift in Microsoft’s approach. It signals a recognition of developer habits and a move towards reducing friction for those accustomed to Unix-like environments. While it’s a small change that many casual users will never notice, the ability to elevate commands without disruptive clicks is a genuine quality-of-life improvement. In a landscape often focused on flashy AI features, this subtle upgrade makes the Windows command line feel more cohesive and considerably less painful to use.

(Source: MAKE USE OF)